SODALITY  OF  OUR  LADY 


. 


SODALITY  OF  OUR 

LADY 

HINTS  AND  HELPS  FOR  THOSE 
.  IN  CHARGE 


BY 

FATHER  ELDER  MULLAN,  S.J. 

AUTHOR  AND  COMPILER  OF 
“THE  BOOK  OF  THE  CHILDREN  OF  mary” 


* 


‘  BOSTON  COLLEGE  L1BUAKT 
£  CHESTNUT  HILL,  MASS. 

NEW  YORK 

P.  J.  KENEDY  AND  SONS 

PUBLISHERS  TO  THE  HOLY  APOSTOLIC  SEE 

LONDON 

R.  &  T.  WASHBOURNE,  Ltd. 


The  Maryland-New  York  Province  of  the  Society 

of  Jesus. 

The  book  whose  title  is  “  Sodality  of  Our  Lady,”  compiled  and 
arranged  by  Father  Elder  Mullan,  S.  J.,  having  been  examined  by  two 
theologians  of  the  same  Society,  whom  we  had  appointed  for  this,  was 
approved  by  them. 

Therefore,  in  virtue  of  powers  conferred  on  us  by  our  Very  Rev¬ 
erend  Father  General,  Louis  Martin,  we  grant  permission  for  its 
publication,  if  permitted  by  those  to  whom  it  pertains. 

In  testimony  whereof  we  have  issued  these  letters,  signed  by  our 
hand  and  sealed  with  the  seal  of  our  office. 

Thomas  J.  Gannon.  S.  J.,  Provincial. 

[Seal.] 

New  York,  June  2,  1906. 

Nihil  obstat. 

Remigius  Lafort,  Censor  Deputatus. 

Imprimatur. 

John  M.  Farley,  Archbishop  of  New  York. 


Copyright,  1907 

By  P.  J.  Kenedy  and  Sons,  New  York. 


206726 

Copyrighted  at  Btationers’  Hall,  London. 


The  right  of  translation  into  foreign  languages  is  reserved. 


TO 


OUR  •  LADY 

QUEEN  •  AND  •  ADVOCATE  •  AND  •  MOTHER 
OF  •  ALL  .  HER  •  SODALISTS 
WITH  •  THE  •  PRAYER 
THAT 

WE  •  WHOSE  •  HAPPY  •  TASK  •  IT  .  IS 
TO  •  GUIDE  •  HER  •  DEAREST  •  CHILDREN 
IN  •  HER  •  WAYS 
MAY  •  LEAD  •  THEM 
EVER 

ON  •  AND  •  UP 
TO  •  BE 

LIKE  •  HER  •  THEY  •  CHERISH 
HIGHEST  •  AND  •  BEST 


I.  The  one  in  charge  of  the  Sodality  will  always 
hear  in  mind  that  the  final  scope  of  every  Sodality 
of  Our  Lady  is  the  true  perfection  of  the 
Christian  life,  and  to  this  aim  will  direct  all  his 
management ,  adapting  it  to  the  special  character  of 
the  Sodality  in  his  charge. 

II.  He  will  strive  to  establish  among  his  Sodal- 
ists  an  inner  body  making  more  express  profession 
of  this  perfection ,  in  order  that  their  conduct  in 
particular  may  serve  for  example  and  encouragement 
to  the  rest. 

III.  To  fill  a  need  which  is  felt  especially  in  our 
day ,  he  will  inspire  all  his  Sodalists  with  the  spirit 
of  the  apostolate,  which  each  one  ought  to  exercise 
according  to  his  state  of  life ,  by  word  and  example . 


[Solemn  resolutions  of  the  Universal  Congress  of  Our  Lady 
at  Rome,  September,  1904.] 


PREFACE 


HE  sole  aim  of  this  little  book  is  to  be 
useful.  The  plan  is  as  follows :  — 

The  General  Statutes ,  which  are 
given  first,  are  the  basis  of  the  whole. 
The  remainder  of  the  book  comprises  twenty-eight 
chapters  in  five  parts. 

The  first  part  presents  general  information  and 
aids.  This  includes  an  outline  of  the  Church  Law 
on  these  bodies,  and  directions  for  applying  it  in 
their  establishment. 

The  second  part  considers  the  Sodality  already 
in  existence,  and,  after  describing  the  character  of 
the  body,  proposes  general  ways  of  maintaining  its 
successful  action. 

The  third  part  deals  with  the  spiritual  life  of  the 
members  and  with  matters  that  touch  its  various 
occasions  and  manifestations.  Here  belong  the 
exercises  of  piety,  individual  and  collective,  and 
the  works  of  zeal. 

The  fourth  part  has  to  do  with  the  less  frequent 
Sodality  events,  treating  them  in  the  order  of  their 
frequency.  Some  hints  are  added  as  to  members 
no  longer  active. 

The  fifth  part  consists  of  a  chapter  of  personal 
suggestions  for  the  one  in  charge  of  the  Sodality. 


viii  preface 

As  to  the  sources.  The  General  Statutes  are 
a  careful  translation  from  the  official  document. 
The  Points  from  Church  Law  have  been  drawn 
from  Beringer’s  invaluable  work  on  Indulgences, 
and  from  various  works  on  Canon  Law.  The 
practical  suggestions,  which  form  the  main  part 
of  the  book,  are  largely  the  result  of  repeated 
experiments  made  by  many  directors,  sub-directors, 
and  directresses. 

The  hints  and  helps  cannot,  of  course,  all  be 
turned  to  use  everywhere.  Many  things  that  are 
possible  in  one  Sodality  cannot  be  done  in  another. 
The  circumstances  have  always  to  be  measured. 
But  when  one  looks  about  and  considers,  one  often 
finds  much  possible  and  even  easy  which  had  been 
thought  so  difficult  as  to  be  out  of  the  question. 
Besides,  it  is  very  often  true  that  where  there  is  a  will 
there  is  a  way.  It  will  be  understood  that  this 
little  book  is  meant  for  sub-directors  and  direc¬ 
tresses  as  well  as  priest-directors.  The  last  of  these 
titles  has  oftenest  been  used  for  convenience. 

The  good  will  to  lead  their  Sodalists  on  to  what  is 
best  and  highest  is  abundant  in  Sodality  directors, 
sub-directors,  and  directresses.  It  was  the  hope 
of  somehow  stimulating  this  good  will  and  giving 
it  new  objects  to  work  on  that  led  the  author,  or 
rather  compiler,  to  put  this  book  together. 

ELDER  MULLAN,  S.  J. 

Woodstock  College. 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

General  Statutes  of  the  Sodality . xi: 

„  PART  I 

Chapter 

I  Points  from  Church  Law  about  the  Sodality 

of  Our  Lady .  1 

II  Practical  Way  of  Establishing  a  Sodality  27 

PART  II 

III  What  a  Sodality  is . .  37 

IV  The  Rule . 51 

V  Fraternal  Union . 57 

VI  Means  of  Keeping  up  Interest . 65 

VII  Finances . 81 

VIII  Choice  and  Treatment  of  Officers  ...  89 

PART  III 

IX  Exercises  of  Piety . 103 

X  Chapel  and  Belongings . 117 

XI  Seats  at  Meetings . 123 

XII  Meetings . 129 

XIII  Exercises  of  the  Regular  Meeting  .  .  .  135 

Reading . 137 

Invocation  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ....  144 

Office . 145 

Conference . 147 

Final  Prayers . 157 

XIV  The  Sacraments . 159 

XV  Works  of  Zeal . 169 


X 


Contents 


Chapter  Page 

PART  IV 

XVI  Monthly  Patrons . 181 

XVII  Monthly  Recollection . 185 

XVIII  The  Month  or  May . 193 

XIX  Patron al  Feast . 197 

XX  Annual  Retreat . 201 

XXSL  Renewal  of  the  Act  of  Consecration  .  .  211 

XXII  Final  Departure  from  School  ....  215 

XXIII  Members  no  Longer  Active . 219 

PART  V 

XXIV  The  One  in  Charge  of  the  Sodality  .  .  225 

INDEX . 233 


tifetrtrttl  jg'trttutcri 
of  tire 

^urUalttj)  of  #ur  ilnOg 


What  follows  may  be  called  the  essence  of  the  Sodality  Rule. 

It  is  well  known  that  different  classes  of  Sodalists  are  gov¬ 
erned  by  different  Rules.  This  is  perfectly  natural.  The  Rules 
of  all ,  however ,  have  a  large  amount  of  likeness.  We  have,  then , 
set  down  here  their  common  features. 

Indeed,  the  General  Statutes  that  follow  have  been  themselves 
expressly  approved  as  a  common  sketch  of  the  Sodality  Rule. 

Besides  the  outlines  here  set  forth,  each  Sodality  may  have 
particular  Rules  of  its  own.  To  be  authoritative,  these  must  be 
approved  by  those  competent.  Who  they  are  will  be  said  further 
on  in  the  book.  Such  special  approbation  of  specific  Rules  has 
already  been  given  for  the  First  Primary  Sodality,  for  the  Chil¬ 
dren  of  Mary  in  this  country,  and  for  certain  other  bodies.  Each 
Sodality  should  see  to  this  in  its  own  case. 


JL  mm 


The  Sodality  of  Our  Lady  has  for  its  main 
object,  to  arouse  and  foster  in  the  souls  of  the 
members  a  strong  devotion  to  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary,  in  order  that,  being  fortified  by  the  special 
protection  of  a  Mother  so  great,  they  may  live  a 
pious  Christian  life  and  die  a  happy  death. 

KJE*  ISjrmtses  tu  Common 

On  a  fixed  day,  ordinarily  once  a  week,  they 
assemble  at  a  certain  hour,  to  promote  in  them¬ 
selves  devotion  to  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  the 
spirit  of  piety  by  means  of  an  exhortation  given 
by  the  one  who  presides,  the  reading  of  pious 
books,  prayers  and  hymns  in  common,  pious  medi¬ 
tations  or  other  religious  exercises. 

To  the  same  end,  they  make  the  Spiritual  Ex¬ 
ercises  every  year  for  some  days,  approach  the 
Holy  Table  in  a  body  often,  particularly  on  Our 
Lady’s  feasts,  and  make  in  the  usual  way  the  Six 
Sundays  of  St.  Aloysius. 

<*Eootr  Portia  l&ecotumeuTreTf 

( For  the  most  part  enriched  with  Indulgences ) 

1.  To  say  some  special  prayers  each  day  in 
honor  of  their  heavenly  Patroness  —  in  the  First 


XIV 


General  Statutes 


Primary  Sodality  the  members  are  instructed  to 
recite  three  Hail  Marys  morning  and  evening. 

2.  If  they  can  conveniently,  to  recite  daily  the 
Rosary  or  the  Office  of  Our  Lady,  or  at  least  some 
part  of  them. 

3.  To  examine  their  conscience  in  the  evening. 

4.  To  give  some  time  to  meditation  on  divine 
things,  or  to  the  reading  of  pious  books. 

5.  To  hear  Mass  every  day,  if  they  can. 

6.  To  approach  the  Sacraments  at  least  once  a 
month. 

7.  To  make  a  General  Confession  once  or  twice 
a  year. 

8.  To  help  on  zealously  all  that  makes  for 
the  increase  and  defence  of  the  Church  and  of 
religion. 

9.  To  labor  to  bring  back  to  the  way  of  salva¬ 
tion  by  example  and  teaching  those  who  have 
strayed  from  the  faith  or  from  Christian  virtue. 

10.  To  be  diligent  in  works  of  mercy,  particu¬ 
larly  towards  Sodalists  that  are  ill. 

11.  To  go  to  the  funerals  of  Sodalists  that  die 
and  to  offer  up  special  prayers  for  them. 

12.  Finally,  to  insist  on  the  acquirement  not 
only  of  the  virtues  which  no  Christian  can  be 
without,  but  even  to  aim  at  surpassing  their 
companions  in  devotion,  purity,  humility,  modesty, 
and  diligence  in  the  duties  of  their  state. 


General  Statutes; 


XV 


KTT.  mmtvu 

As  to  what  concerns  the  officers  of  the  Sodality, 
the  method  of  election,  their  duties,  etc.,  let  the 
Manuals  be  consulted,  many  of  which  have  been 
published  for  the  use  of  Sodalists. 


I 


€i)e 

of  Mux  labp 

* 

What  Sodality  Is  Here  In  Question 


IERE  are  in  the  Church  a  number 
of  organizations  haying  devotion  to 
the  Blessed  Virgin  as  the  central  mo¬ 
tive.  None  of  them  is  in  question 


here  but  the  Sodality  of  Our  Lady . 

Name 

This  body  is  variously  called  in  Church  Law, 
being  sometimes  given  the  name  of  Sodality 
( Sodalitas  or  Sodalitium) ,  sometimes  that  of 
Confraternity  ( Confraternitas) ,  sometimes  that  of 
Congregation  ( Congregatio ).  The  last  word  is 
the  one  commonest  in  French,  in  Spanish,  and  in 
Italian.  In  English,  however,  the  name  Congrega¬ 
tion  is  applied  in  another  way,  and  Sodality  is  the 
usual  designation  of  the  Society  here  considered. 

Definition 

The  Sodality  of  Our  Lady  is  an  ecclesiastical 
corporation  composed  of  the  faithful,  and  canoni¬ 
cally  erected  and  aggregated  to  the  First  Primary 


4 


®fje  g>obalttp  of  <0ur  Habp 

Sodality  of  the  Roman  College,  and  having  as  its 
purpose  the  advancement  of  Christian  life  through 
devotion  to  the  Blessed  Mother  of  God  and  the 
performance  of  good  works. 

A  word  on  some  of  the  elements  of  this  definition. 

Composed  of  the  Faithful.  The  members  may 
come  from  any  class  of  society,  be  of  any  age 
(after  attaining  the  use  of  reason),  and  be  of  either 
sex.  Needless  to  add,  entering  the  Sodality  is  a 
free  act  of  the  candidate. 

Devotion  to  the  Blessed  Mother  of  God.  This 
is  the  Sodality’s  great  means  of  advancing  in  the 
Christian  life  and  forms  the  distinguishing  feature 
of  the  body. 

Performance  of  Good  Works.  The  good  works 
taken  up  are  directed  to  the  personal  sanctifica¬ 
tion  of  the  members.  They  consist  of  private  and 
public  exercises  of  devotion  and  of  works  of  mercy 
and  of  zeal.  It  must  be  added  that  no  one  of 
these  exercises  or  works  is  essential:  it  is  only 
required  that  there  should  be  some  such  ways  of 
furthering  holiness  and  preparing  for  a  happy 
death. 

Canonical  Erection.  This  is  an  act  of  one  in 
competent  authority,  by  which  he  constitutes  the 
body  an  ecclesiastical  moral  person,  recognized  as 
such  thereafter  by  the  Church.  The  act  is  like 
that  of  the  State  when  it  incorporates  a  society 
and  gives  it  a  legal  existence  distinct  from  that  of 
its  members. 


5 


Gflf )t  gboMttp  of  #ur  Habp 

Aggregation  to  the  First  Primary  Sodality.  By 
such  aggregation  the  Sodality  is  affiliated  to  the 
head  Sodality  in  the  Roman  College,  and  becomes 
in  so  far  a  part  of  it  that  it  shares  in  its  prayers 
and  good  works  and  in  all  the  Indulgences,  favors, 
and  privileges,  granted  or  to  be  granted  to  the 
First  Primary. 

Ecclesiastical  Corporation.  As  such,  the  Sodal¬ 
ity  has  rights  and  duties,  just  as  an  individual 
has.  Its  existence  is  also  quite  distinct  from  that 
of  its  members,  and  continues  even  when  there  are 
no  actual  members  at  all.  Nay  more,  a  Sodality 
of  Our  Lady  cannot  be  dissolved  even  by  a  unani¬ 
mous  vote  of  the  members,  and  if  at  any  time  a 
Sodality  that  had  ceased  to  exercise  its  functions 
should  again  —  any  time  within  one  hundred  years 
—  begin  to  do  so,  the  Indulgences  would  still  be 
gained  as  before  and  the  corporate  being  of  the 
body  would  be  unaltered  —  indeed,  as  a  corporate 
body  it  had  never  ceased  to  exist. 

A  Sodality  can,  however,  be  suppressed  by  the 
Sovereign  Pontiff.  The  Bishop  also  has  power  for 
this,  but  not  without  cause  and  with  canonical 
process,  and  an  appeal  lies  in  the  matter  to  superior 
Church  authority. 

Title 

It  is  essential  that  each  Sodality  to  be  erected 
and  aggregated  should  have  a  Primary  Title. 

The  Primary  Title  is  always  Our  Lady  under 


6 


Oft )t  £§>obalttj>  of  0nx  ILstov 

the  name  of  a  feast  or  mystery  of  hers.  Thus,  the 
First  Primary  is  the  Sodality  of  Our  Lady  of 
the  Annunciation .  A  great  Sodality  abroad  has 
the  Primary  Title  of  Our  Lady  Immaculate.  This, 
indeed,  is  a  very  common  title,  in  America  and 
elsewhere. 

A  Secondary  Title  also  may  be  taken.  The 
name  of  a  Saint,  for  instance,  or  of  the  Holy 
Angels,  or  of  the  Child  Jesus,  etc.  A  Secondary 
Title,  however,  is  not  essential,  as  the  Primary  is. 

In  a  Sodality,  then,  that  has  two  Patrons,  the 
full  title  'runs  thus :  The  Sodality  of  Our  Lady 
Immaculate  and  St.  Aloysius ;  The  Sodality  of 
Our  Lady  Seat  of  Wisdom  and  the  Child  Jesus , 
etc. 

Under  the  head  of  Title,  it  is  well  to  note  that 
in  applying  for  the  approval  or  for  the  erection 
and  aggregation  of  a  Sodality  of  Our  Lady,  one  has 
to  state  the  class  of  persons  of  whom  the  body  is  to 
be  composed.  It  is  this  that  ordinarily  is  used 
to  designate  the  Sodality.  Hence  we  hear  of  The 
Married  Men's  Sodality ,  The  Girls'  Sodality,  etc. 
These  are  convenient  terms,  but  are  not  the  canon¬ 
ical  designations.  The  proper  title  is  as  described 
above  and  it  might  be  better  if  it  were  used  in 
preference  to  the  other,  or  if,  at  least,  both  desig¬ 
nations  were  employed  and  the  body  were  called, 
for  instance,  The  Married  Men's  Sodality  of 
Our  Lady  of  the  Purification  and  St.  Charles 
Borromeo . 


7 


Wi)t  g>oMttp  of  0ux  Xabp 

It  may  be  added  that  certain  names  are  current 
for  Sodalities  of  a  special  kind.  The  name  Chil¬ 
dren  of  Mary  is  one  of  these.  This  is  a  title  lov¬ 
ingly  assumed  in  some  places  by  girl  or  women 
Sodalists  of  Our  Lady,  but  has  no  particular  ap¬ 
proval  of  the  Church.  It  should  be  remarked  that 
there  is  a  union  of  the  Children  of  Mary  (Figlie 
di  Maria)  under  the  Patronage  of  Our  Lady  Im¬ 
maculate  and  St.  Agnes.  This  is  a  Pious  Union 
of  girls,  established  in  1864  in  the  Church  of  St. 
Agnes  at  Rome,  with  power  to  aggregate  to  itself 
other  similar  Societies  of  girls.  It  has  most  of  the 
Indulgences  of  the  First  Primary  of  the  Roman 
College,  but  not  all,  and  not  all  its  Privileges,  and 
is,  of  course,  not  so  widespread.  This  Union  of 
the  Children  of  Mary  has  no  connection  with  the 
Sodality  of  Our  Lady. 


Canonical  Erection 

The  first  thing  essential  for  the  establishment  of 
a  Sodality  of  Our  Lady  is  canonical  erection.  Ag¬ 
gregation  without  it  is  invalid,  and  if  there  is  any 
doubt  about  the  fact  of  erection,  it  cannot  be  pre¬ 
sumed,  but  must  be  proved.  For  this  reason  it  is 
wise  to  have  the  canonical  erection  recorded  in 
writing  and  exposed  in  a  prominent  place. 

The  act  of  canonical  erection  belongs  of  ordinary 
right  to  the  Bishop  of  the  diocese.  His  Vicar 
General  is  not  empowered  to  erect  Sodalities  of 
Our  Lady,  unless  he  has  a  special  mandate  of  the 


8 


GTfje  ^obalttp  of  <0ur  Habp 


Bishop  to  do  so.  The  mandate,  however,  may  be 
given  in  general  for  all  cases.  The  Vicar  General, 
if  he  erects  a  Sodality  under  such  mandate,  must 
mention  in  the  official  instrument  his  doing  so 
under  the  mandate. 

Besides  the  Bishop,  the  Sovereign  Pontiff,  of 
course,  or  any  body  or  person  commissioned  by  him 
can  canonically  erect  a  Sodality.  The  Propaganda, 
for  example,  has  the  power,  and,  as  is  the  case 
with  similar  bodies  connected  with  other  orders  in 
the  Church,  it  is  conferred  also  on  the  General  of 
the  Society  of  Jesus,  as  delegate  of  the  Holy  See. 
The  General,  however,  cannot  erect  a  Sodality 
without  leave  of  the  Bishop  of  the  diocese,  except 
in  a  Jesuit  house  or  church,  and  this  leave  must 
precede  the  act  of  erection  ;  subsequent  approval 
is  not  sufficient.  Even  in  a  Jesuit  house  or  church, 
it  may  be  said  that  the  Bishop’s  permission  is 
required,  but  that  permission  is  given  by  the 
Bishop’s  allowing  such  a  house  or  church  to 
be  established  in  his  diocese. 

To  effect  the  canonical  erection  of  a  Sodality 
of  Our  Lady,  nothing  but  a  mere  expression  of  the 
will  is  required.  Usually,  however,  it  is  done  in 
writing. 

Among  those  who  have  power  to  erect  Sodali¬ 
ties  of  Our  Lady,  it  is  mostly  the  Jesuit  General 
to  whom  it  is  left.  This  is  a  mere  matter  of  con¬ 
venience  and  is  meant  to  prevent  confusion  and 
delays. 


m)t  gbobalttp  of  €>ur  Habp 


9 


In  applying  for  the  consent  of  the  Ordinary  and 
for  the  canonical  erection,  the  particular  body  con¬ 
cerned  must  be  clearly  designated.  The  designa¬ 
tion  includes  (1)  the  class  of  persons  forming  the 
Sodality,  (2)  the  Primary  Title  and  the  Secondary 
Title  (if  one  is  taken),  (3)  the  place .  It  is  not  es¬ 
sential,  but  it  is  correct  to  indicate,  (4)  any  depart¬ 
ures  from  the  ordinary  Sodality  Rule  contained  in 
the  General  Statutes :  indeed,  that  the  peculiar 
Rules  of  each  Sodality  should  be  submitted  to  the 
Bishop  for  his  consent  is  the  express  wish  of  the 
Jesuit  General,  whose  right  it  is  to  approve  Sodality 
Rules. 

As  many  Sodalities  of  Our  Lady  as  one  wishes 
may  be  erected  in  the  same  place  and  in  the  same 
church. 

It  may  be  added  that  a  Sodality  of  Our  Lady 
erected  in  one  church,  etc.,  can  remove  to  another 
without  losing  its  Indulgences.  The  only  thing 
necessary  is  the  permission  of  the  Bishop  :  proba¬ 
bly  it  is  not  required  to  get  the  consent  of  the 
Jesuit  General. 

Aggregation  to  the  First  Primary  Sodality 

The  First  Primary  Sodality  was  canonically 
erected  by  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  Gregory  XIII., 
Dec.  5,  1584.  Since  that  time,  it  and  its  affili¬ 
ated  Sodalities  have  numbered  as  members  over 
25,000,000  of  the  most  fervent  and  most  distin¬ 
guished  Catholics  throughout  the  world. 


10 


Wot  £§>otralttp  of  0nv  % abp 

By  grant  of  Gregory  XIII.,  enlarged  by  Sixtus 
V.,  Clement  VIII.,  Gregory  XV.,  Benedict  XIV., 
and  Leo  XII.,  and  confirmed  by  Leo  XIII.,  the 
power  to  aggregate  to  the  First  Primary  is  vested  in 
the  Father  General  (or  Vicar  General)  of  the  Society 
of  Jesus.  This  power,  however,  he  can  —  except 
in  a  Jesuit  house  or  church  —  exercise  only  with 
the  express  approval  of  the  Bishop  of  the  diocese* 

It  may  be  added  that  the  act  of  aggregating  is 
performed  by  the  General  not  precisely,  it  would 
seem,  as  General,  but  as  Head  Director  of  the 
First  Primary . 

Besides  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  and  his  delegate 
for  this,  the  Jesuit  General,  the  Propaganda  has 
also  the  faculty  to  bestow  on  Sodalities  of  Our 
Lady  the  Indulgences  of  the  First  Primary,  and 
this  without  recourse  to  the  General.  Propaganda 
can  communicate  this  faculty  to  its  Missionary 
Bishops,  but  does  not,  it  seems,  do  so  in  this 
country :  the  reason  probably  is  because  it  is  so 
easy  here  to  apply  to  the  General.  Of  course, 
this  communication  of  Indulgences  is  not  aggre¬ 
gation  to  the  First  Primary  and  gives  no  share  in 
good  works  and  prayers. 

In  making  the  petition  for  aggregation,  the  fol¬ 
lowing  points  should  be  specified  :  — 

a 

1.  The  Bishops  consent  to  erection  and  aggre¬ 
gation,  or  the  fact  of  erection,  if  the  Bishop  has 
executed  this  act,  along  with  his  consent  to  the 
aggregation. 


fEfje  ££>obalttp  of  <0ur  Habj» 


11 


2.  The  class  of  persons  forming  the  Sodality. 

3.  The  Primary  Title;  and  the  Secondary 
Title ,  if  one  is  taken. 

4.  Th q  place. 

5.  Any  departures  from  the  General  Statutes . 

It  has  been  said  that  more  Sodalities  than  one 

may  be  erected  in  the  same  church  or  place.  The 
same  is  true  of  aggregation.  This  makes  it  possi¬ 
ble  to  have  in  the  same  church  distinct  sodalities 
for  the  different  classes  of  people.  Another  way 
of  effecting  this  division  of  work  is  to  have  one 
Sodality  with  several  sections.  These  form  but 
one  Sodality  in  Church  Law  and  are  under  one 
Director’s  canonical  headship. 

There  may  be  even  more  Sodalities  than  one 
for  the  same  class  of  persons  in  the  same  place  or 
church. 

In  aggregating,  the  General  cannot  limit  or 
extend  the  Indulgences  and  Privileges :  he  must 
communicate  all  that  the  First  Primary  has. 

Again,  when  he  aggregates,  it  must  be  forever 
and  not  only  for  a  certain  time. 

To  sum  up,  then,  in  a  Jesuit  house  or  church, 
canonical  erection  and  aggregation  are  the  right  of 
the  Jesuit  General.  In  all  other  establishments, 
the  Bishop’s  leave  is  essential  for  both  acts,  and 
he  may  also  canonically  erect  if  he  wishes.  Ordi¬ 
narily,  both  acts  are  performed  by  the  General. 
This  he  does  by  a  Diploma  sent  to  the  petitioner. 
The  instrument  should  be  carefully  preserved  and 


12 


Cfje  g£>obaltt|>  of  ^ur  Habp 

be  kept  on  exhibition  in  the  Sacristy,  or  in  some 
other  prominent  place.  Should  the  Diploma, 
however,  be  lost  or  destroyed,  the  Sodality  does 
not  therefore  cease  to  exist :  the  Diploma  is  to  be 
kept  rather  as  a  witness  to  the  fact  of  erection 
and  aggregation. 

The  Director 

The  Sodality  validly  erected  and  aggregated  is 
a  legally  existing  body,  but  it  cannot  have  mem¬ 
bers  unless  through  a  Director. 

The  Director  of  a  Sodality  of  Our  Lady  must 
be  a  priest  duly  appointed  to  his  office. 

In  Jesuit  houses  and  churches,  the  Directors  of 
Sodalities  are  appointed  by  the  Provincial. 

The  Head  Director  of  the  other  Sodalities  of  a 
Diocese  is  the  Bishop,  but  he  usually  appoints 
others  in  direct  charge  of  the  several  bodies.  He 
is  not  obliged  to  use  any  set  form  in  this  appoint¬ 
ment  and,  of  course,  is  at  liberty  to  grant  the 
petition  of  a  Sodality  or  a  Community  to  have  a 
certain  priest  in  the  office. 

The  Bishop  should  name  a  Director  when  he 
erects  a  Sodality,  as  the  Pastor  is  not  ipso  facto 
Director  of  the  Sodalities  in  his  church  —  unless 
he  is  the  only  priest  there. 

The  Bishop  is  not  obliged  to  appoint  as  Director 
a  priest  belonging  to  the  parish  in  which  the 
Sodality  is  erected.  His  choice,  in  fact,  is  en¬ 
tirely  unrestricted. 


13 


fEf) e  ikibalttp  of  0nt  Habp 

The  appointment  can  be  recalled  by  the  Or¬ 
dinary  whenever  he  pleases.  As  he  had  the 
power  to  make,  so  has  he  power  to  rescind  the 
appointment. 

The  Bishop  can  also  appoint  another  to  receive 
members,  either  for  single  cases,  or  in  any  way  he 
wishes. 

If  the  appointment  is  not  recalled  by  the 
Bishop,  the  priest  continues  to  be  Director  of 
the  Sodality  until  his  death :  he  does  not  lose 
his  position  on  the  death  of  the  Bishop. 

In  many  instances  —  though  without  any  obli¬ 
gation —  the  Bishop  makes  the  Pastor  of  a  church, 
as  Pastor,  Director  of  a  Sodality.  In  this  case, 
when  the  Pastor  dies,  or  is  removed,  his  successor 
as  Pastor  becomes  Director  of  the  Sodality  with¬ 
out  new  appointment.  The  same  is  true  of  a 
chaplain,  etc. 

In  all  other  circumstances,  on  the  death  of  a 
Director,  a  new  appointment  must  be  made  by 
the  Bishop. 

The  Director  of  a  Sodality  of  Our  Lady  may, 
for  reasonable  cause,  depute  another  priest  to 
take  his  place  in  the  reception  of  members, 
which  is  the  only  function  for  which  a  Director, 
or  another  lawfully  appointed,  is  canonically 
essential. 

It  is  well  to  remember  how  important  it  is  that 
the  Director  should  be  duly  appointed.  Without 
that,  the  reception  of  members  is  invalid  and 


14 


Wfje  of  0ttt  Habp 

the  so-called  Sodalists  gain  none  of  the  Sodality 
Indulgences. 

The  Sodality  of  Our  Lady  has  no  special  Medal. 
The  Director,  therefore,  does  not  need  peculiar 
faculties  for  blessing  such  Medals  as  may  be  given 
the  candidates. 

It  remains  to  speak  of  Sub-directors  and  Direc¬ 
tresses.  These  have  no  canonical  status,  but  are 
simply  vicegerents  of  the  Director  in  the  actual 
running  of  the  Sodality.  They  can,  however,  and 
usually  do,  conduct  the  meetings,  lead  in  prayers, 
give  the  exhortations  and  instructions,  etc., — 
always  leaving  to  the  Director  the  reception  of 
new  members  into  the  Sodality.  This  last,  as  has 
been  said,  is  the  only  act  that  is  reserved  to  the 
Director,  or  a  priest  his  deputy,  or  another  priest 
appointed  by  the  Bishop.  In  some  Sodalities, 
there  is  a  reception  of  candidates  as  such.  If  this 
is  meant  to  give  the  candidates  the  right  to  the 
Sodality  Indulgences ,  the  act  must  be  performed 
by  one  having  proper  authority,  or  it  is  invalid. 
Otherwise,  the  Sub-director  or  the  Directress  can 
so  receive  candidates  to  postulancy. 

In  the  direction  of  the  Sodality,  the  Director  is 
not  at  liberty  to  go  according  to  his  own  ideas, 
but  must  keep  conscientiously  to  the  usages  proper 
to  the  Sodality,  especially  when  the  gaining  of 
Indulgences  has  been  declared  dependent  on  them. 
Particularly,  he  must  always  have  in  view  the 
special  end  of  the  Sodality,  see  to  the  maintenance 


15 


3R)e  g>obalttp  of  0nt  Habp 

of  fervor,  the  observance  of  the  Rules  and  the 
fulfilment  of  the  conditions  for  the  Indulgences, 
and  secure  the  body  from  abuses,  especially  from 
ambitious  and  avaricious  tendencies. 

Rules 

Absolutely  speaking,  it  is  not  essential  that  a 
Sodality  of  Our  Lady  should  have  any  Rules  at  all. 
It  can  be  canonically  erected  without  any,  and  the 
Indulgences  can  be  gained  without  them. 

At  first  there  were  no  general  Rules  of  Our 
Lady’s  Sodality,  the  individual  bodies  aggregated 
following  simply  the  lead  of  the  First  Primary. 
This  was  natural  enough,  as  the  earliest  Sodalities 
were  erected  in  Jesuit  houses  or  churches.  But 
even  after  the  Father  General  was  empowered 
to  aggregate  other  Sodalities,  he  did  not  issue  or 
approve  any  common  Rules  until  as  late  as  the 
last  quarter  of  the  19th  century.  Then  it  was 
judged  well,  for  the  sake  of  uniformity,  to  outline 
the  nature  and  work  of  these  bodies.  This  was 
done  in  the  General  Statutes  found  elsewhere  in 
this  book.  In  them  the  Father  General  simply 
crystallized  the  customs  and  rules  of  the  various 
Sodalities  voluntarily  followed  by  each. 

These  General  Statutes  may  be  now  considered 
as  the  organic  constitution  of  the  Sodality  of  Our 
Lady.  The  reason  for  this  statement  is  as  follows. 

The  power  to  make,  alter,  and  approve  Rules 
for  the  Sodality  of  Our  Lady  was  conferred  by  the 


16 


Wqi  gbobalttp  of  #«r  Habp 

Sovereign  Pontiffs  on  the  General,  and  the  Sodal¬ 
ity  was  bidden  by  them  to  obey  such  Rules  as  he 
should  make  or  approve.  He  has  made  and  ap¬ 
proved  the  General  Statutes . 

To  make  any  change  in  the  General  Statutes 
requires  the  authorization  of  the  Father  General ; 
in  Sodalities  not  erected  in  a  Jesuit  house  or 
church,  alteration  in  the  Statutes  or  addition  to 
them  requires  also  the  consent  of  the  Bishops. 
The  Vicar  General,  here  as  in  the  case  of  canon¬ 
ical  erection,  has  no  powers  unless  in  virtue  of 
the  Bishop’s  special  mandate. 


Membership 

Canonically  speaking,  a  Sodalist  of  Our  Lady  is 
a  duly  admitted  member  of  a  validly  erected  and 
validly  aggregated  Sodality. 

What,  then,  is  due  reception  ? 

This  is  a  very  simple  matter.  Supposing  the 
valid  existence  of  the  Sodality  and  the  valid  ap¬ 
pointment  of  the  Director  (and  valid  deputation 
by  him  or  by  the  Bishop  of  another  priest,  if  the 
actual  reception  is  done  by  another),  there  are  but 
three  things  necessary. 

These  are : 

1.  That  the  Director,  or  his  lawful  deputy, 
should  give  some  external  sign  that  he  wishes  to 
admit  the  candidate  to  be  a  member. 

2.  That  the  candidate  should  give  some  external 
sign  that  he  wishes  to  be  received. 


17 


)t  i£>obalttp  of  <&uv  Habp 

3.  That  the  name  of  the  candidate  should  be 
entered  on  the  Sodality  roll. 

A  word  about  each  of  these  points. 

1.  The  external  sign  may  be  of  any  kind,  and 
words  are  not  essential.  The  mere  act  on  the 
Director’s  part  of  entering  the  name  on  the  roll 
is  enough. 

2.  No  particular  words  are  necessary  on  the 
candidate’s  part,  any  sign  whatever  suffices. 

3.  Enrolment  is  absolutely  necessary  for  the 
validity  of  the  act.  As  is  evident,  enrolment  sup¬ 
poses  that  each  Sodality  has  a  record  or  register 
in  which  to  enter  the  names  of  those  admitted. 

The  enrolling  of  the  members  can  be  done  by 
one  not  the  Director. 

If  the  Director  receives  to  membership  in  a 
place  where  there  is  no  Sodality,  he  is  to  have  the 
name  or  names  entered  in  some  Sodality  of  the 
class  of  persons  concerned. 

The  new  member  or  members  can  gain  the  So¬ 
dality  Iudulgences  on  the  day  of  reception,  even 
if  the  enrolment  in  the  register  does  not  take 
place  on  that  day. 

A  Director  can  receive  members  in  a  place  other 
than  that  in  which  his  Sodality  exists,  but  he 
receives,  of  course,  into  that  Sodality  only  of 
which  he  is  Director. 

Only  in  extraordinary  cases  can  a  member  be 
validly  received  when  absent,  that  is,  when  he  is 

not  where  the  Director  is. 

2 


18 


GCfie  gbobalttp  o!  0nv  li abp 

If  a  Sodality  has  been  erected  for  married  men 
only,  unmarried  men  cannot  be  received  into  it. 
So  in  similar  cases. 

If  a  Director  has  power  to  receive  all  indis¬ 
criminately,  he  can  receive  himself  also. 

Nothing  else  whatever  is  essential  beyond  what 
has  been  mentioned  above.  But  there  is  always 
a  certain  amount  of  ceremony  added. 

Under  this  head  may  be  mentioned  the  proba¬ 
tion  through  which  candidates  are  usually  required 
to  pass.  This  time  of  candidacy  varies  in  length 
in  different  Sodalities.  No  time  is  absolutely 
essential. 

The  details  of  the  reception  are  found  in  ordi¬ 
nary  Manuals  of  the  Sodality.  The  traditional 
ceremonies  are  the  following : 

1.  The  Invocation  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

2.  The  Sermon . 

,  3.  The  Blessing  of  the  Medals. 

4.  The  Questioning  of  the  Candidates. 

5.  The  Act  of  Consecration. 

(After  this  a  candle  is  presented  by  each  one  to 
the  Director.) 

6.  The  formal  Reception. 

This  includes : 

a.  The  Investing  with  the  Medal. 

b.  The  Presentation  of  the  Manual . 

c.  The  Recitation  of  the  Words  of  Reception . 

d.  The  Presentation  of  the  Diploma. 

e.  The  Enrolment. 


19 


®fje  ibobalttp  of  0m  Habp 

7.  The  Hymn  of  Thanksgiving. 

In  some  Sodalities,  a  Profession  of  Faith  is 
added. 

Any  one  validly  admitted  remains  a  member  all 
his  life  unless  he  is  positively  excluded  from  mem¬ 
bership  —  a  punishment  sometimes  necessary.  A 
member  may,  of  course,  also  lose  his  membership 
by  formally  renouncing  his  connection  with  the 
Sodality. 

Membership  —  and  consequently  the  right  to  In¬ 
dulgences  —  is  not  lost  by  one’s  no  longer  attend¬ 
ing  meetings,  no  longer  receiving  the  Sacraments 
with  the  rest,  etc.  He  may  return  at  any  time  to 
his  duties  and  be  received  to  all  his  rights  in  the 
body. 

However,  it  must  not  be  understood  that  the 
Sodality  is  obliged  to  readmit  immediately  a 
member  who  has  been  delinquent.  A  member, 
indeed,  he  remains,  but  he  may  be  required  to 
pass  through  a  probation  before  recovering  his 
good  standing. 


Duties 

Of  duties  in  the  strict  sense  —  binding  under 
sin  —  there  are  none  in  the  Sodality  of  Our  Lady. 
The  body  is  governed  by  the  law  of  love. 

The  members  are  expected,  however,  to  carry 
out  the  points  set  down  in  the  General  Statutes , 
and  may  be  suspended  from  membership,  or  en¬ 
tirely  excluded  from  the  body,  for  not  doing  so. 


20 


Gtfje  ikibalttp  of  0ux  Habp 

They  are  required,  too,  to  observe  such  other 
prescriptions  and  customs  as  are  of  force  in  their 
own  Sodality. 


Officers 

The  only  officer  canonically  essential  in  a 
Sodality  of  Our  Lady  is  the  Director.  But  all 
Sodalities  have  others,  and  the  custom  is  recom¬ 
mended  in  the  General  Statutes. 

The  officers  may  be  chosen  in  any  way  the 
Director,  or  the  Sodality,  pleases — as  far  as  Church 
Law  goes.  But  it  is  not  well  to  depart  from  the 
time-honored  method  which  is  usually  found  in 
Manuals,  especially  as  it  is  very  simple  and  very 
efficacious.  The  method  is  the  following : 

The  Council  of  the  Sodality  chooses  three  names. 
These  are  proposed  to  the  whole  Sodality.  One 
ballot  is  cast.  The  one  of  the  three  who  gets 
most  votes  is  Prefect ;  the  next,  First  Assistant ; 
the  other,  Second  Assistant. 

The  Sodality  does  not  vote  on  the  rest  of  the 
officers.  They  are  elected  by  the  Council,  except 
the  lowest,  who  are  appointed  by  the  Director,  or 
the  Prefect,  or  both.  The  Council,  besides  the 
three  officers  just  named,  usually  includes  a 
Secretary,  a  Treasurer,  a  Master  of  Candidates, 
and  some  Consultors.  Besides  the  Council,  there 
is  nearly  always  a  Sacristan  or  two,  a  Reader,  a 
Choir  Master,  etc.,  according  to  circumstances  and 
the  particular  rules  and  customs. 


V 


21 


Cfje  ibobalttp  of  <£>ur  Habp 

It  is  well  to  have  all  these  points  clearly  defined 
in  the  Manual  used,  or  in  the  Special  Constitution 
of  each  body. 

It  conduces  to  the  general  good  for  the  Director 
(Sub-Director  or  Directress)  to  submit  a  list  of 
candidates  for  each  office  and  not  allow  a  choice 
except  among  those  so  proposed.  This  gives  the 
one  in  charge  the  predominance  which  must 
always  be  in  his  hands,  according  to  the  ancient 
custom  and  the  will  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff. 

.Once  the  way  of  conducting  affairs  of  this  kind 
is  fixed,  deviation  should  not  be  easily  permitted. 


Indulgences 

There  are  rich  Indulgences  belonging  to  the 
Sodality  of  Our  Lady.  They  are  found  in  brief  in 
most  Manuals  and  more  at  length  in  such  books 
as  “  Beringer  on  Indulgences.”  An  authentic  sum¬ 
mary  of  them  was  published  by  the  Sacred  Con¬ 
gregation  of  Indulgences,  June  23,  1885,  with  the 
dates  of  the  original  instruments  added  to  the 
several  Indulgences. 

By  a  privilege  similar  to  that  enjoyed  by  certain 
other  Confraternities,  the  Sodality  Indulgences, 
since  Sept.  17,  1887,  can  be  gained  only  by  actual 
aggregation  to  the  First  Primary,  and  cannot  be 
communicated  even  by  Bishops  that  have  extraor¬ 
dinary  faculties  in  these  matters,  except  by  those 
Missionary  Bishops  under  Propaganda  who  have 
received  the  special  faculty  required. 


22 


Wqz  £i>obalttj>  of  0nv  Habp 

It  is  to  be  noted  that  in  the  Sodality  of  Our 
Lady,  as  in  other  Confraternities,  aggregation  to 
the  First  Primary  gives  the  right  to  all  Indulgences 
that  will  ever  be  granted  to  it,  even  after  such 
aggregation.  On  the  contrary,  Sodalities  that  get 
their  Indulgences  by  the  special  faculty  of  Propa¬ 
ganda  just  mentioned  gain  the  Indulgences  that 
have  already  been  granted,  but  not,  it  would  seem, 
those  that  shall  be  given  in  the  future. 

To  gain  the  Plenary  Indulgence  connected  with 
the  weekly  meeting,  no  other  prayers  are  requisite 
beyond  the  Sodality  prayers  said  in  common,  pro¬ 
vided  one  says  them  for  the  intention  of  the  Holy 
Father.  Again,  the  same  Plenary  Indulgence  can 
be  gained  for  meetings  held  but  twice  a  month. 

When,  in  the  grant  of  an  Indulgence,  the  choice 
of  the  day  for  gaining  it  is  left  to  the  Sodalist,  the 
Director  cannot  fix  the  day  so  that  the  Indulgence 
cannot  be  gained  on  another. 

When  a  Sodality  feast  day  is  transferred  to 
another  day,  the  Indulgence  attached  to  it  is 
transferred  also  to  that  day. 

If  a  Sodalist  is  hindered  by  sickness  or  impris¬ 
onment  from  making  a  visit  to  a  church  which 
would  otherwise  be  necessary  to  gain  a  Sodality 
Indulgence,  he  can,  without  the  visit,  gain  the 
Indulgence  by  performing  merely  the  other  works 
required.  Indeed,  if,  in  the  judgment  of  a  pru¬ 
dent  Confessor,  he  is  lawfully  hindered  in  any 
other  way,  he  can  gain  the  Indulgence  by  fulfilling, 


23 


W f)t  ^obalttp  of  <^ur  Habp 

in  place  of  the  visit,  another  pious  work  imposed 
by  the  Confessor. 

Money  and  Property 

The  property  of  a  Sodality  erected  in  a  Jesuit 
house  or  church  belongs  to  the  house  or  church. 

This  is  not  so  in  the  case  of  other  Sodalities, 
but  the  property  is  the  possession  of  the  body 
itself.  Consequently,  like  other  ecclesiastical 
property,  it  is  subject  to  episcopal  visitation. 

Money  contributed  by  members  at  reception 
into  the  Sodality  and  afterwards,  should  be  looked 
on  as  an  alms  and  not  as  a  condition  necessary 
for  admission  or  for  continuance  of  membership. 
Needless  to  say,  this  money  should  be  used  only 
for  the  purposes  of  the  Sodality. 

As  to  cases  where  it  is  the  Sodality  that  is  the 
owner,  it  is  clearly  just  that  it  should  have  a  say 
in  the  use  and  disposal  of  its  property.  This  the 
Sodality  can  do  by  a  vote  at  the  very  inception 
of  the  body,  transferring  all  Sodality  rights  over 
property  to  the  Council  of  the  Sodality,  or  to  the 
Director,  or  to  any  one  else.  Or  it  can  vote  on 
such  questions  whenever  they  come  up.  To  avoid 
all  complications  in  this  matter,  it  is  well  to  make 
provision  for  the  whole  subject  in  the  Rules  of  the 
particular  Sodality. 

Property  of  the  Sodality,  with  regard  to  aliena¬ 
tion,  is  subject  to  the  ordinary  laws  of  the  Church 
on  ecclesiastical  property. 


24 


,  £§>obaltt2>  of  <£>ur  li abp 


Exemption 

The  Sodality  of  Our  Lady  has  been  exempted 
from  the  prescriptions  about  Confraternities  issued 
in  the  Bull  Quaecunque  of  Clement  VIII.,  Dec.  7, 
1604.  The  exemption  was  first  given  by  Gregory 
XV.,  April  15,  1621,  was  confirmed  by  Benedict 
XIV.,  Sept.  29,  1748,  and  was  extended  to 
Sodalities  not  in  Jesuit  houses  and  churches  by 
Leo  XIII.,  June  23,  1885. 

Other  Confraternities  enjoy  the  same  exemption, 
at  least  in  part ;  a  fact  which  renders  their  estab¬ 
lishment  and  conduct  considerably  easier. 

Changes 

Any  detail  of  the  Sodality  existence  or  functions 
can  be  altered  by  the  same  authority  that  orig¬ 
inated  it.  Thus  the  Bishop  and  the  Jesuit  General 
conjointly  can  change  the  Title  and  modify  the 
Rules.  The  Bishop  can  change  the  Director,  etc. 
In  the  same  way,  in  Sodalities  which  have  noth¬ 
ing  fixed  in  the  approved  Rule  as  to  elections,  the 
power  to  alter  the  method  is  within  the  competence 
of  the  Sodality,  or  the  Director,  etc. 

A  Sodality  can  remove  permanently  to  another 
church,  chapel,  etc.,  within  the  diocese  with  the 
permission  of  the  Bishop  —  probably,  without 
recourse,  in  any  case,  to  the  General  of  the 
Society  of  Jesus. 


25 


g>obalttp  of  0nv  Habp 

Should  the  church,  chapel,  etc.,  to  which  a 
Sodality  belongs,  be  destroyed,  and  a  new  one  be 
built  on  the  same  or  a  different  spot,  with  the 
same  or  a  different  title,  the  Sodality  continues 
in  the  new  church,  chapel,  etc.,  unchanged. 


Chapter  II 

fjracttcal  OTCag 
af 

Critahltdftmff  a  JwrtxalttK 


Aggregation 


has  been  seen,  there  are  two  kinds  of 
Sodalities  of  Our  Lady.  Both  are 
associations  of  the  faithful  for  the 
promotion  of  piety,  but  they  differ  in 
this,  that  one  is  and  the  other  is  not  aggregated 
to  the  First  Primary  Sodality  of  the  Roman 
College. 

Any  Sodality  that  has  our  Blessed  Mother  for 
Primary  Patron  can  be  united  with  the  Roman 
Sodality.  Such  aggregation  is  a  distinct  advan¬ 
tage  in  the  following  respects  : 

1.  It  gives  the  right  to  many  rich  Indulgences. 
2.  It  makes  the  Sodalists  members  of  a  world¬ 
wide  association,  which  now  numbers  over  a 
million  Sodalists.  3.  It  puts  before  them  the 
good  example  of  so  many  brethren.  4.  It  makes 
them  share  in  the  prayers  and  good  works  of  all. 

If  a  Sodality  has  not  been  aggregated  to  the 
First  Primary,  the  way  to  do  it  is  so  simple  that 
the  one  in  charge  ought  not  to  excuse  himself 
easily  for  not  taking  the  trouble. 

Steps  to  Take  ] 

In  the  case  of  a  Sodality  in  a  Jesuit  house  or 
church,  to  obtain  aggregation  to  the  First  Primary 


30 


ZE%e  H>obaItt!>  of  0nv  Habp 

application  is  made  to  the  Father  Provincial.  In 
all  other  cases  two  steps  have  to  be  taken.  These 
are :  Getting  the  approval  of  the  Ordinary  of  the 
Diocese,  and  making  application  to  the  Father 
General  of  the  Society  of  Jesus. 

1.  Getting  the  Approval  of  the  Ordinary 

The  Bishop  may  give  his  approval  in  writing  or 
not :  the  former  is  the  usual  way  and  is  much  to 
be  preferred. 

The  simplest  way  of  procuring  this  approval  is 
to  write  a  letter  to  him  asking  it.  Two  copies 
may  be  sent,  one  to  be  retained  for  the  Diocesan 
archives,  if  he  so  wishes,  the  other  to  be  returned 
to  the  sender  with  the  words  of  approval  added. 

There  is  no  form  prescribed  for  this  letter,  but 
the  following  may  be  used :  — 

Your  Lordship ,  —  Being  desirous  of  helping 
on  devotion  to  our  ever  Blessed  Mother  Mary 
and  realizing  how  powerful  an  aid  for  good¬ 
ness  of  life  is  afforded  by  Our  Lady’s  Sodality, 
I  humbly  pray  your  Lordship  to  give  your 
approval  to  the  canonical  erection  and  the 
aggregation  to  the  First  Primary  Sodality  of 
a  Society  in  which  I  am  interested.  It  is  a 
Sodality  of  (state  the  class  of  persons  forming 
the  body')  ;  has  as  Primary  Patron  Our  Lady 
(add  the  feast ,  or  mystery) ;  as  Secondary 
Patron  ( give  the  name) ;  and  is  to  exist  in 


31 


Qfije  gpobalt  tp  of  0ut  Ha  bp 

( state  the  place),  of  ( give  the  city,  etc.)  in 
your  Lordships  diocese. 

Will  your  Lordship  kindly  approve  the 
particular  Rules  also  which  we  propose  to 
adopt?  They  are  enclosed  herewith. 

Begging  your  Lordship’s  special  blessing 
on  the  work,  from  which,  it  is  hoped,  much 
good  will  result  for  souls,  I  have  the  honor 
to  be 

Your  Lordship’s  humble  servant  in  Christ, 


2.  Making  Application  to  the  Father  General 

The  approval  of  the  Ordinary  received,  the  only 
other  thing  to  do  is  to  apply  to  the  Father  General 
of  the  Society  of  Jesus.  This  also  can  be  done  by 
letter.  No  form  is  prescribed,  but  that  which 
follows  may  be  used.  The  Father  General  at 
Rome  may  be  addressed,  but  the  letter  is  sent 
to  the  nearest  Provincial  (or  Mission  Superior)  of 
the  Society  of  Jesus.  The  name  and  address  of 
the  latter  can  be  found  in  the  Catholic  Directory. 

Your  Paternity,  —  I  have  conceived  the  de¬ 
sire  to  have  canonically  erected  and  aggre¬ 
gated  to  the  First  Primary  Sodality  of  the 
Roman  College  a  Society  in  which  I  am 
interested. 

The  Ordinary  of  the  Diocese  gave  his  con¬ 
sent  to  the  canonical  erection  and  the  aggre¬ 
gation  on  (state  the  day,  month  and  year.) 


32 


tEfje  £§>obalttp  of  <^ur  1L abp 

The  Sodality  is  composed  of  ( give  the  class 
of  persons). 

The  Primary  Patron  is  Our  Lady  (add  the 
feast ,  or  mystery ). 

The  Secondary  Patron  is  (add  the  name) . 

The  Sodality  is  connected  with  (name  the 
churchy  chapel,  school ,  etc.)  in  (state  the 
place) y  of  the  Diocese  of  (give  the  name). 

Begging  of  your  Paternity  the  favor  of 
canonical  erection  and  aggregation  for  this 
Society,  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  dear  Very 
Reverend  Father  General, 

Your  Paternity’s 

humble  servant  in  Christ, 


Notes  on  the  Above  Letters 

The  application  in  both  cases  can  be  made  by 
any  person,  priest  or  not. 

The  Bishop  may,  if  he  wishes,  himself  canon¬ 
ically  erect  the  Sodality.  If  he  does  so,  the  fact  is 
to  be  stated  in  the  letter  to  the  Father  General. 

A  word  about  each  of  the  items  to  be  specified 
in  the  two  letters. 

The  class  of  people.  The  Sodality  may  be  com¬ 
posed  of  the  faithful  of  both  sexes,  or  of  either 
sex,  of  married  men  or  women,  of  single  men  or 
women,  of  boys  or  girls,  of  merchants,  of  students, 
etc. 

The  Diploma  of  Aggregation  may  be  worded  so 


33 


Cfje  ^>obaIttp  of  0nv  Habp 

that  several  branches  of  the  same  Sodality  may 
come  under  it.  Thus,  for  instance,  if  it  read 
Faithful  of  both  sexes ,  the  Director  might  have  a 
married  men’s  branch,  a  married  women’s,  etc.,  all 
under  the  same  Diploma.  These  would  then  not 
be  distinct  Sodalities,  and  the  canonical  head  of 
each,  as  has  been  said  above,  would  be  the 
Director  appointed  for  the  general  Sodality  of 
which  they  are  branches. 

It  is  to  be  remembered,  though,  that  more  So¬ 
dalities  than  one,  even  if  any  or  all  are  of  the  same 
class  of  people,  can  exist  in  the  same  church,  etc. 

The  Primary  Patron .  It  is  essential  that  this 
should  be  Our  Lady.  Some  feast  or  mystery  of 
hers  is  also  to  be  taken  as  distinctive  of  each  So¬ 
dality.  This  is  chosen  by  the  Sodality,  or  the  per¬ 
son  or  persons  concerned  with  its  establishment. 

The  Secondary  Patron.  It  is  usual,  but  not 
necessary,  to  have  a  Secondary  Patron  also.  Any 
Patron  may  be  chosen,  the  choice  being  made  as 
in  the  case  of  the  Primary  Patron. 

Holy  Angel  Sodalities,  when  rightly  constituted, 
have  the  Holy  Angels  as  Secondary  Patrons,  unless 
Our  Lady  Queen  of  Angels,  or  some  such  phrase, 
is  the  Primary  Title.  Aloysians  have  St.  Aloysius. 
The  Holy  Infant  Sodality  can  have  the  Holy  Infant 
as  Secondary  Patron. 

The  Place.  This  includes  the  name  of  the 
church,  etc.,  and  of  the  town,  etc.,  and  of  the 
diocese. 


3 


34 


®fje  gbobalttp  of  Our  Habp 

A  Sodality  can  be  erected  in  a  church,  a  chapel, 
a  college,  a  school  —  in  a  word,  in  any  pious 
place  whatever. 

The  Appointment  of  Director 

Besides  the  Diploma  of  erection  and  of  aggrega¬ 
tion,  it  is  necessary  to  have  a  Director  also. 

The  Director  may  be  appointed  before  the  erec¬ 
tion  of  the  Sodality,  or  after  it ;  but,  as  is  evident, 
the  appointment  does  not  go  into  effect  until  the 
canonical  erection  is  a  fact. 

Organizing 

It  often  happens  that  a  Sodality  that  is  already 
in  existence  wishes  to  become  aggregated  to  the 
First  Primary.  The  steps  to  take  are  exactly  the 
same  as  those  described  above. 

If  there  is  as  yet  no  society  and  it  is  desired  to 
establish  a  Sodality,  the  Diploma  of  Erection  and 
Aggregation  can  be  got  before  organization  or 
after. 

The  work  of  organizing  can  be  gone  through  in 
various  ways.  It  is  best  to  assemble  for  the  pur¬ 
pose  those  only  who  will  make  good  members 
when  the  time  for  reception  comes.  They  need 
not  be  many.  They  can  be  formed  to  the  Sodality 
customs  and  trained  in  the  Sodality  virtues  during 
a  postulancy,  which  could  be  gone  through  while 
the  Diploma  is  being  procured,  for  this  may  take 
several  months. 


Gtfje  gbobalttp  of  €>ur  Habp 


35 


It  goes  without  saying  that  the  first  thing  to 
do  in  organizing  is  to  explain  the  nature  of  the 
Sodality  and  its  Rules. 

When  the  postulancy  is  finished,  the  candidates 
—  or  as  many  as  the  Director  thinks  fit  —  can  be 
received  as  members.  Officers  can  be  informally 
elected  or  appointed  pro  tem.  while  the  whole 
Sodality  is  in  a  chrysalis  state,  but  when  a  suffi¬ 
cient  number  of  members  have  been  received,  the 
election  should  take  place  again,  and  in  proper 
form,  only  they  being  eligible. 


Aggregation  does  not  Destroy  Autonomy 

It  may  be  well,  before  going  on,  to  dispel  an 
illusion  which  exists  in  some  minds  about  aggre¬ 
gation  to  the  Roman  Sodality.  Does  not  this 
affiliation  destroy  the  autonomy  of  one’s  own 
society  ?  Is  not  the  freedom  of  action,  and 
consequently  the  zeal,  of  the  Director  hampered 
by  it  ?  Is  he  not  put  under  rules  and  regulations 
sent  from  the  Roman  Society,  and  forever  an¬ 
noyed  by  interference  from  that  quarter? 

The  answer  to  these  questions  is  simple  and 
clear.  Aggregation  to  the  First  Primary  gives  a 
Sodality  many  Indulgences  and  Privileges,  but 
leaves  the  Director  entirely  free  as  to  the  conduct 
of  his  own  association.  To  be  sure,  the  rules  he 
follows  should  be  approved  at  Rome,  but  outside 
of  this,  he  is  not  at  all  less  his  own  master  after 
aggregation  than  before,  and  need  fear  no  inter- 


36 


G tfje  ^obalttp  of  (9ur  Habj> 

ference  whatever  from  the  Head  Sodality.  He 
will  be  expected,  of  course,  to  keep  his  Sodality 
in  line  with  similar  bodies  elsewhere  —  such  was 
the  purpose  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiffs  in  making 
the  First  Primary  the  source  of  Privileges  to  the 
rest  —  but  no  influence  will  ever  be  brought  to 
bear  on  him  to  force  him  to  do  so :  he  will  be  left 
—  he  and  his  Sodality  —  to  his  own  devices.  It 
is,  therefore,  perfectly  true  to  say  that  aggregation 
means  benefits  only  and  induces  no  limitation  of  , 
one’s  freedom  of  action. 


(Cftaptn*  III 

Wftat  a  J&srtralitg  trf  <©ttr  itatfjj  trf 


The  Three  Characteristics 


T  is  exceedingly  necessary  to  have  a 
clear  idea  what  a  Sodality  ought  to 
be.  Of  this  the  History  of  the  Sodality 
and  its  authentic  Rules  give  the  same 
description.  Let  us  catch  its  main  features. 

1.  Special  Devotion  to  Our  Lady.  The  first 
requisite  and  the  great  purpose  of  the  association 
is  to  foster  devotion  to  the  glorious  and  ever 
Blessed  Mother  of  our  Lord. 

Devotion  to  Our  Lady  will  show  itself  in  various 
ways.  In  some,  as  in  St.  Stanislas,  it  will  be  a 
fervent  and  tender  love.  In  some,  it  will  take 
the  form  of  keen  endeavor  to  make  themselves 
more  and  more  like  our  Blessed  Mother.  Some, 
like  St.  Francis  de  Sales,  will  be  impressed  with 
the  fact  that  the  Mother  of  our  Saviour  is  wonder¬ 
fully  kind  to  the  sinner :  they  will  be  zealous  for 
the  salvation  of  souls.  Some,  like  St.  Alphonsus 
Liguori,  will  be  attracted  by  her  absolute  purity 
and  her  freedom  from  sin :  they  will  strive  to 
keep  from  stain  themselves  and  draw  others  away 
from  the  occasions  of  sin.  Some,  like  St.  Peter 
Fourier,  will  be  incited  by  their  love  for  Mary  to 
practise  charity  to  their  neighbor.  Some,  like 
Blessed  Grignon  de  Montfort,  will,  in  the  excess 


/ 


40  Cfj e  H>obalttp  of  #ur  Habp 

of  their  love,  dedicate  themselves  to  her  as  her 
slaves  forever — and  thus  in  many  ways  will  de¬ 
votion  to  her  become  evident  and  have  play.  How  * 
it  shows  itself  does  not  matter ;  the  essential  thing 
is  that  in  the  Sodalist’s  heart  there  shall  be  a  very 
special  devotion  to  Mary. 

2.  To  aim  at  more  than  ordinary  goodness 
in  its  members  is  the  second  characteristic  of  a 
Sodality.  Probably  all  Sodalists  understand  it  to 
be  so,  and  when  they  enter,  do  in  reality  mean 
to  live  a  better  life  than  the  common  Catholic 
leads.  And  they  should,  for  special  devotion  to 
Our  Lady  would  be  no  more  than  a  mere  senti¬ 
ment  if  it  did  not  urge  to  what  is  high  and 
good. 

Later  on,  if  the  Sodalists’  first  fervor  cools  and 
they  fall  back  to  the  ordinary,  it  is  the  Director’s 
task  to  win  them  again,  for  our  Blessed  Mother, 
to  the  higher  life. 

The  higher  life  meant  is  not  necessarily  the 
religious  life ;  that  is  reserved  for  those  of  the 
Sodality  that  bind  themselves  by  the  three  vows 
of  religion.  The  Sodalists’  higher  life,  while  living 
in  the  world,  is  the  life  of  Christian  perfection. 

3.  A  certain  exclusiveness  is  the  third  character¬ 
istic.  Without  it  cannot  be  maintained  the  high 
standard  set.  The  common  run  of  people  cannot 
all  be  led  to  higher  things.  Hence  it  is  necessary 
to  limit  membership  and  exclude  whoever  would 
be  satisfied  with  what  is  ordinary. 


flHje  H>obalit|>  of  <^ur  Habp 


41 


One  has  often  to  take  a  stand  and  be  firm  in 
this,  especially  where,  as  usually  happens,  to  be  a 
Sodalist  brings  with  it  a  certain  social  or  religious 
distinction.  Many  will  wish  to  join  for  nothing 
but  to  gain  this  distinction. 

The  exclusiveness  we  are  speaking  of  here  is 
not  one  of  class,  or  of  wealth,  or  of  worldly  posi¬ 
tion,  or  of  dress ;  but  only  of  zeal  for  Our  Lady 
and  her  better  imitation. 

There  are,  it  is  true,  Sodalities  in  which  this 
principle  is  neglected,  or  not  much  urged.  But 
they  never  do  the  good  work  which  they  could 
and  would  if  they  kept  this  characteristic.  A 
story  is  in  place  here,  from  the  life  of  one  of  our 
fellow  Sodalists,  St.  John  Baptist  de  Rossi. 

Pope  Benedict  XIV.  had  been  himself  a  mem¬ 
ber  of  the  First  Primary  Sodality  of  the  Roman 
College  and  was  so  charmed  with  the  fruits  of  the 
Sodality  that  he  expressed  a  wish  that  all  the 
boys  in  the  college  should  belong  to  one.  It  was 
done  as  the  Holy  Father  desired.  But,  contrary 
to  his  wish  and  intention,  the  effect  was  ruinous. 
There  was  no  longer  that  emulation  in  goodness, 
that  distinction  given  to  piety  and  merit,  and  that 
potent  factor  in  human  life  —  good  example  re¬ 
ceived  from  those  who  are  thought  superior.  All 
ambition  in  holiness  was  destroyed. 

The  fathers  of  the  College  soon  perceived  the 
disastrous  change  affairs  had  taken.  What  did 
they  do  ?  They  resumed  the  old  idea,  and  put  it 


42 


QCfje  gbofcalttp  of  <£>ur  Hafcp 

in  force  even  under  the  changed  conditions.  They 
established  a  Sodality  within  the  Sodality  and 
called  it  Limited.  The  members  of  the  Limited 
thus  became  the  real  Sodalists  —  and  all  was  well. 
St.  John  Baptist  de  Rossi  was  one  of  the  most 
fervent  of  these,  as  another  of  our  Sodalists,  St. 
Leonard  of  Port  Maurice,  had  been  before  him. 

The  moral  of  this  story  is  :  If  a  Sodality  is  not 
restricted  to  such  as  aim  at  something  more  than 
ordinary  goodness,  the  one  in  charge  should 
gradually  eliminate  the  unwilling.  If  he  cannot 
do  that,  then  he  could,  as  has  often  been  done 
before,  form  a  separate  inner  body.  He  could 
make  them  the  apple  of  his  eye,  and  labor,  with 
our  Blessed  Lady’s  help,  to  render  them  all  that 
is  good  and  fine  in  Catholic  life.  He  could  bring 
them  up  to  the  highest  perfection  of  the  Rule; 
have  them  edify  all  by  often  receiving  the  Sacra¬ 
ments,  by  practising  holy  Meditation  and  the  two 
Examens,  and  by  hearing  Mass  daily.  Their  ex¬ 
ample,  he  may  be  sure,  will  be  followed  by  others 
and  he  will  gradually  come  to  have  a  sufficiently 
large  number  of  Sodalists  worthy  of  the  name,  and 
all  fervent.  Then  will  he  have  a  real  Sodality. 
Meanwhile,  he  is  in  charge  of  an  association  of 
Catholics  that  have  connection,  indeed,  canoni¬ 
cally,  with  a  grand  system  in  the  Church,  but  they 
are  not — let  us  be  convinced  of  it  —  they  are  not 
a  Sodality  of  Our  Lady  in  the  proper  sense. 
They  are  not  such  as  the  Rule  prescribes  they 


43 


QZfje  ;g>obalitp  of  (JDur  Habp 

should  be  and  history  shows  true  Sodalists  are 
and  have  been  everywhere  and  always. 

It  was  said  above  that  the  exclusiveness  so 
essential  for  a  Sodality’s  well-being  is  not  one  of 
class.  There  is,  however,  a  separateness  even 
of  class  which  does  service  for  the  end  proposed. 
It  is  the  separateness  which  pertains  to  a  body  of 
the  same  age,  or  of  the  same  belongings  —  say,  to  a 
Sodality  of  young  ladies.  To  keep  up  such  a  body 
and  conduct  it  successfully,  one  must  admit  into 
it  none  but  young  ladies  —  girls  will  not  do,  nor 
will  older  women.  The  same  applies  to  a  young 
men’s  Sodality,  to  a  boys’  Sodality,  to  a  senior 
college  Sodality,  to  the  various  grades  of  school 
and  parish  Sodalities,  etc. 

This  kind  of  exclusiveness  is  found  to  be  im¬ 
portant  everywhere  and  in  all  cases.  The  reason 
is  not  far  to  seek.  Members  of  a  Sodality  natu¬ 
rally  meet  one  another  and  must  mingle  together, 
not  in  regular  meetings  only,  but  in  going  to 
church  or  chapel  and  returning,  and  in  the  many 
ways  in  which  the  members  come  together  for 
charitable  purposes  —  even  in  the  entertainments 
which  they  have  from  time  to  time.  Now,  people 
cannot  be  expected  to  meet  socially  that  are  not 
of  about  the  same  age,  or  of  about  the  same  con¬ 
dition  in  life.  One  must  be  fcareful,  then,  not  to 
make  a  Sodality  too  much  of  an  omnibus. 

If  one  has  such  a  society  on  his  hands,  could 
not  one  divide  it  into  its  constituent  elements  ? 


44 


Gtfje  i£>obalttp  of  0ur  ILtitip 

A  little  increase  of  labor  on  the  Director’s  part 
would  enable  him  to  conduct  two  Sodalities  or 
more,  all  successful,  in  place  of  the  one  he  now 
has,  with  its  elements  too  heterogeneous  for  a 
common  management. 

The  Kind  of  Members 

The  Director  will  find  it  impossible  to  keep  his 
Sodality  select,  if  he  is  not  careful  in  admitting 
members.  In  most  Sodalities  the  first  step 
towards  admission  is  taken  by  him ;  let  him  be 
on  his  guard,  then,  and  look  into  the  character 
of  the  applicant  before  he  passes  a  favorable 
judgment.  He  should  be  sure  that  the  person 
understands  what  it  means  to  belong  to  a  Sodal¬ 
ity,  and  sincerely  wishes  to  honor  Our  Lady  and 
to  lead,  as  a  Sodalist,  a  life  of  more  than  ordinary 
goodness. 

It  is  best  to  adopt  some  cautious  plan  even 
about  members  of  other  Sodalities  that  apply  —  it 
would  be  found  well,  usually,  to  subject  them  also 
to  careful  study  and  probation  before  pronouncing 
for  their  admission  to  the  Sodality.  Such  a  prac¬ 
tice  exists  in  many  places  and  produces  good 
results.  We  have  known  cases  where  even  high 
officials  of  the  Council  of  another  Sodality  were 
kept  waiting  a  whole  year. 

Sometimes,  however,  on  the  contrary,  there  are 
very  desirable  persons  who  are  loath  to  enter. 
The  Director  should  not  wait  to  be  asked  by 


45 


Vi %e  ^>obalttp  of  But  Habp 

them,  but  do  what  he  can  to  draw  them  to  the 
Sodality,  for  Our  Lady’s  honor.  Excellence  is 
what  he  wants :  if  he  can  get  it  for  the  asking, 
let  him  ask.  He  should  advise,  then,  and  urge 
such  people  to  become  Sodalists.  Frequently 
enough,  they  have  a  false  idea  of  what  a  Sodality 
is.  The  Director  could  take  occasion  of  a  ser¬ 
mon,  or  of  some  public  speech,  to  explain  or  have 
explained  clearly  and  attractively  what  the  Sodalist 
is  and  aims  at  being.  He  could  follow  up  public 
appeal  with  private  invitation  —  always,  however, 
letting  it  be  clear  that  the  honor  is  conferred  by 
the  Sodality  in  receiving,  not  by  the  candidate  in 
applying. 

In  other  cases,  though  a  possible  candidate  is 
not  just  now  fit  to  be  admitted,  the  one  in  charge 
sees  the  step  will  be  profitable  after  a  while.  Let 
him  have  a  talk  with  the  person;  suggest  im¬ 
provement  along  certain  lines ;  hold  out  the  hope 
of  future  admission.  Much  good  has  often  re¬ 
sulted  from  such  a  course  of  action  and  excellent 
Sodalists  have  been  formed  by  it. 

Finally,  the  members  of  a  Sodality  should  be  the 
best  and  ablest  of  their  class.  Nothing  “  goody- 
goody  ”  will  do.  A  solid,  strong  devotion,  sturdy 
character,  marked  ability,  make  the  best  Sodalist. 
Popularity  is  a  desirable  quality.  Virtue  should 
be  made  respectable  and  attractive  by  the  very 
kind  of  people  admitted. 


46 


Wt)e  g>oMitp  of  <£>ur  ILabp 


The  Number 

How  many  members  should  there  be  in  a  Sodal¬ 
ity  ?  Much  depends  on  circumstances. 

A  large  number  is  hard  to  manage.  To  get  the 
best  results,  the  one  in  charge  must  know  each 
member  personally  and  have  to  do  frequently  with 
each  one. 

In  many  boarding  schools  the  one  in  charge  of 
the  Sodality  is  a  kind  of  spiritual  guide  of  the 
Sodalists.  This  supposes  that  the  number  there 
shall  never  be  large. 

Perhaps  one  might  say  that  fifty  or  seventy-five 
is  the  best  number  in  a  large  school.  This  is 
enough  for  the  full  force  of  good  example,  and  is 
not  too  many  to  manage  successfully.  In  smaller 
schools,  a  much  smaller  number  has  often  been 
found  sufficient  for  thoroughly  good  work.  Per¬ 
haps  one  pupil  in  three  or  four  would  be  a  fair 
proportion  in  all  schools. 

In  a  parish,  it  may  be  difficult  to  limit  a  Sodal¬ 
ity  to  as  few  as  seventy-five  ;  there  may  be  many 
candidates,  all  worthy  and  all  desirable.  The 
plan,  then,  will  be  to  receive  them  all  and  do  the 
best  one  can  by  each  —  always  keeping  the  dis¬ 
tinction  of  ages  and,  usually,  of  classes  also. 

An  expedient,  useful  under  all  circumstances,  is 
what  is  called  a  Waiting  List .  The  approved 
candidates,  indeed,  belong  to  this,  but  nothing 
prevents  the  Director  having  always  some  that  are 


47 


3Tfie  H>obalitp  of  0ux  ICabp 

not  so  far  advanced  as  even  they.  Of  course,  the 
principle  involved  is  evident :  make  a  thing  hard 
to  get  and  every  one  will  want  it  and  labor  for  it. 

The  tendency  of  human  nature  to  strive  for 
what  is  not  easy  to  get  is  utilized  in  another  way 
in  some  Sodalities.  They  are  limited  as  to  num¬ 
ber  of  members.  We  know  of  a  school  where  no 
more  than  fifty  are  admitted  to  the  Sodality.  The 
result  is  excellent.  The  Sodalists  are  looked  up 
to  and  somewhat  envied  by  outsiders,  and  are 
themselves  continually  on  their  mettle,  to  avoid 
being  excluded  from  the  body. 

The  Inner  Circle 

In  any  Sodality  that  has  a  large  membership, 
it  is  helpful  to  maintain  an  Inner  Circle.  This  was 
recommended  to  Directors  by  the  Congress  of 
Sodalities  held  at  Rome  in  1904,  and  is  a  most 
useful  device. 

Neither  is  there  any  need  of  the  Sodality  being 
very  large :  the  Inner  Circle  could  be,  say,  20  out 
of  200,  8  or  10  out  of  50,  4  or  5  out  of  25. 

These  members  should  be  the  most  fervent  and 
most  earnest  Sodalists  and  should  be  keen  for  the 
highest  Sodality  aims.  They  should  have  their 
own  separate  meetings  with  exercises  specially  for 
them,  other  and  higher  than  those  of  the  general 
body  of  Sodalists.  Their  works  of  piety  and 
charity  should  also  belong  to  the  better  Catholic 
life.  Suppose,  for  instance,  the  ordinary  members 


48 


fEfje  ££>obaltt|>  of  0uv  Habp 

approach  the  Holy  Table  every  week,  the  Inner 
Circle  could  go  several  times  a  week,  or,  better 
still,  every  day  :  the  same  of  other  exercises  of  the 
Catholic  life. 

It  would  be  well,  usually,  to  limit  the  number 
of  members  of  the  Inner  Circle ,  and  to  require  a 
good  probation  before  admitting  candidates. 

The  example  of  this  body  will  be  a  powerful  aid 
in  building  up  the  entire  Sodality.  Good  works 
which  the  Director  would  wish  to  inaugurate 
would,  naturally,  be  begun  by  them  and  spread 
to  the  whole  body. 

The  Inner  Circle  need  not  be  all  officers  of  the 
Sodality,  though  they  will  ordinarily  be  the  most 
desirable  candidates. 

The  Director  will,  of  course,  not  make  the  mis¬ 
take  of  favoring  in  this  special  way  a  certain  class 
of  people  that  are  characterless.  What  he  wants 
is  the  most  solid  and  respected  section  of  his 
Sodality  :  the  more  solid  and  respected  the  better. 
They  are  the  ones  whose  example  will  be  weighty 
for  good,  and  it  is  the  powerful  influence  of  good 
example  given  by  those  who  are  highly  regarded 
that  the  Director  is  enlisting  in  Our  Lady’s  better 
service. 

Junior  Sodalities 

In  colleges  and  convents,  there  is  a  Sodality 
for  the  older  and  more  mature  pupils,  and  in 
parishes  there  are  usually  several,  all  of  the  same 
grade,  for  those  who  may  be  considered  grown 


49 


Ef )t  ^obalttp  of  0nt  Habp 

people.  Besides  these,  —  they  may  be  called  Head 
Sodalities,  —  there  are  nearly  everywhere  one  or 
more  Societies  for  the  younger  pupils,  or  for  people 
in  their  teens.  We  speak  of  what  are  often  called 
St.  Aloysius ,  Holy  Angel ,  and  Holy  Infant ,  or,  in 
general,  Junior  Sodalities. 

Now,  the  question  may  be  asked,  are  these  real 
Sodalities  ?  The  answer  is  perfectly  clear  —  of 
course  they  are.  They  fulfil  all  the  conditions  and 
are,  by  supposition,  duly  aggregated  to  the  First 
Primary.  Indeed,  the  earliest  college  Sodalities 
were  composed  of  pupils  younger  by  several  years 
than  are  many  of  those  who  go  to  make  up  these 
junior  bodies. 

It  is  a  mistake,  therefore,  to  treat  them  as  out¬ 
side  the  pale  of  Our  Lady’s  Sodality. 

But  there  are  two  other  points  to  consider. 
The  first  is :  Do  the  Rules  of  the  older  Sodalities 
apply  to  them  ?  That  depends  :  if  they  are  suit¬ 
able,  yes.  The  junior  Sodalities  should  have 
Rules  adapted  to  their  capabilities.  We  would, 
however,  call  attention  to  the  fact  —  for  fact  we 
are  convinced  it  is  —  that  these  younger  people 
are  often  able  for  much  more  in  the  spiritual  life 
than  is  proposed  to  them.  It  is  hard  to  see  why 
they  also  might  not  be  trained  to  use  mental 
prayer,  for  instance.  At  least,  the  easier  kinds 
of  such  prayer  are  not  beyond  their  powers. 

As  to  all  the  canonical  requirements,  then,  and 

as  to  the  need  of  selectness  and  the  effort  for  the 

4 


50 


®f )t  H>Qiralttp  o!  0nv  ILatp 

higher  things  of  Catholic  life  according  to  their 
condition,  junior  Sodalities  are  on  a  par  with  the 
others.  There  is  hardly  anything  said  above  that 
can  be  neglected  in  their  case. 

The  other  point  is :  Can  these  Sodalities  be  used 
as  stepping  stones  to  the  others  ?  Certainly,  there 
is  nothing  to  prevent  a  school  or  parish  having  an 
organization  consisting  of  grades  of  this  kind.  It 
is,  to  be  sure,  not  provided  for  in  the  Rule,  but  is 
by  no  means  contrary  to  it.  Hence,  the  custom 
exists  and  works  excellently  in  some  places  we 
know  of. 

The  grades  meant  are  not  merely  differences  in 
age :  they  are  higher  and  higher  requirements  for 
membership.  It  is  a  distinction  of  this  sort  that 
separates  the  Children  of  Mary  in  most  schools 
and  in  some  parishes  from  the  other  Sodalities,  a 
distinction  that  makes  powerfully  for  goodness. 

The  lines  that  divide  these  various  Sodalities 
will  of  course  be  settled  according  to  the  circum¬ 
stances  of  place  and  persons. 


Chapter  IV 
Che  Utile 


Need 


0  organization  can  live  a  vigorous  and 
successful  life  without  a  Rule.  Nor  is 
it  sufficient  that  a  Rule  should  exist : 
it  must  be  observed.  In  proportion  to 
fidelity  in  its  observance  will  the  organization 
thrive.  If  this  principle  is  true  of  all  societies,  it 
is  particularly  so  of  those  that  are  religious  in 
character,  because  of  their  being  so  largely  in  the 
spiritual  order.  These  need  the  stimulus  and  the 
support  which  are  found  in  uniformity,  as  they 
have  to  face  and  combat  a  mighty  foe  in  human 
respect.  Such  a  spiritual  body  is  the  Sodality  of 
Our  Lady.  Let  it  be  put  down,  therefore,  as  an 
axiom  that  if  the  Rule  of  a  Sodality  is  not  re¬ 
garded  and  observed  as  sacrosanct,  the  association 
will  not  produce  the  good  it  ought. 


Observance 

It  is  not  enough  that  the  Director  should  him¬ 
self  do  what  the  Rule  prescribes:  he  must  see 
that  all,  officers  and  members,  fulfil  it.  His  posi¬ 
tion  is  that  of  overseer,  and  he  is  responsible  for 
those  under  him  as  well  as  for  himself.  He,  then, 
is  the  guardian  of  the  Rule.  He  should  explain 
it  —  at  least  once  a  year.  He  should  be  con- 


54 


tZTfje  ibobalttp  of  <^ur  Habp 


stantly  referring  to  it  and  deciding  in  accordance 
with  it.  Needless  to  add,  he  must  know  it  thor¬ 
oughly.  The  first  thing  he  should  do  on  coming 
in  charge,  is  to  study  the  Rule  and  he  should  keep 
reading  it  always. 

Different  parts  of  the  Rule  are  to  be  looked  on 
differently.  Many  things  in  it  are  recommended 
only  :  the  one  in  charge  will  use  his  discretion  in 
urging  them  or  not  at  any  given  time.  One  Di¬ 
rector,  indeed,  suggests  that  the  one  in  charge 
urge  now  one,  now  another  point,  meanwhile  say¬ 
ing  nothing  of  the  others  that  are  in  the  Rule. 
This  variety  of  exhortation  prevents  monotony. 

Let  him  not,  however,  reject  easily  or  slight  any 
point  whatever.  All  have  been  set  down  after 
much  consideration  and  prayer,  and  the  word 
recommended  has  been  sometimes  used  of  exercises 
that  are  meant  to  be  faithfully  and  always  carried 
out,  the  word  being  used  only  to  exclude  any  idea 
of  serious  obligation. 

As  to  the  portions  of  the  Rule  that  are  not 
merely  recommended,  the  one  in  charge  must  ob¬ 
serve  them  and  have  them  observed  as  far  as  ever 
he  can. 

But  let  him  not  think  he  is  obliged  under  pain 
of  sin  to  enforce  them.  There  is  no  such  obliga¬ 
tion  in  any  item  of  the  Rule.  The  most  stringent 
prescription  is  that  about  the  three  essentials  of 
valid  admission.  But  even  if  the  Director  were 
to  neglect  them,  he  would  not  therefore  be  guilty 


Cfje  £s>obalttp  of  <£>ur  Habp 


55 


of  sin :  the  candidates  simply  would  not  become 
members.  The  binding  force  of  the  Rule  is 
strong  enough  without  obligation  under  sin,  for  the 
love  of  our  Blessed  Mother  is  the  motive.  If 
that  love  is  not  powerful  in  the  Directors  heart 
and  in  those  of  his  Sodalists,  it  is  some  other  kind 
of  association  he  is  governing,  but  no  Sodality  of 
Our  Lady. 


Cftapter  V 
jfratmral  suntan 


importance 

Sodality,  fraternal  union  is  a  neces- 
.  Without  mutual  love  the  society 
ill  not  hold  together  and  do  the  great 
ork  it  is  meant  to  do.  One  reason 
is  that  much  of  the  efficacy  of  the  body  as  a  body 
depends  on  common  exertion  ;  this  will  be  prac¬ 
tically  impossible  without  a  fellow  feeling  among 
those  concerned. 

Another  proof  of  the  importance  of  this  virtue, 
the  practice  of  which  is  strongly  urged  in  Sodality 
Rules,  is  the  fact  that  the  good  done  is  based 
largely  on  the  force  of  mutual  example,  the  sense, 
namely,  that  the  individual  member  is  one  of  many, 
all  of  whom  are  aiming  high  and  are  zealous  for  the 
better  things.  Clearly,  example  is  rendered  vastly 
more  powerful  by  coming  from  those  whom  we 
esteem  and  feel  kindly  towards. 

Manifestations 

Fraternal  union  shows  itself  in  many  ways. 
They  may  be  summed  up  in  one  phrase :  that  all 
feel  proud  of  the  goodness  and  success  of  each  of 
the  others.  In  the  way,  then,  of  regarding  one 
another,  of  speaking  of  one  another,  of  dealing 
with  one  another,  will  fraternal  charity  be  made 
manifest. 


60 


®fje  ibotralttp  of  &ux  Hatrp 

There  are  many  occasions  on  which  a  member 
can  do  something  or  say  a  thing  that  will  forward 
the  interests  or  the  reputation  of  his  fellow  mem¬ 
bers  in  business  life,  in  society,  with  those  who 
are  ill  disposed,  etc. 

But  fraternal  union  will  not  be  perfect  nor  last¬ 
ing  unless  it  is  firmly  rooted  in  the  mind.  The 
members  of  the  Sodality  must  think  highly  of  one 
another,  if  they  are  to  speak  and  do  things  in 
their  favor. 


Things  Opposed  to  Union 

Among  these,  clearly  first  in  importance  is  posi¬ 
tive  ill-will  between  members. 

Next  is  selfishness  of  character,  which  would 
make  the  individual  be  wrapped  up  in  himself  and 
have  no  feeling  for  others  and  their  interests. 

Selfishness  leads  often  to  an  unconscious  con¬ 
tempt  of  those  about  one  and  to  acts  —  little  or 
great,  conscious  or  not  —  that  make  friendly  feel¬ 
ing  almost  impossible,  except  to  heroic  virtue. 

Another  danger  —  and  a  very  serious  one  in  all 
societies,  especially  of  men  —  is  what  is  called 
politics.  We  do  not  refer  to  only  such  politics  as 
is  concerned  with  public  life.  There  is  a  political 
way  of  acting  that  is  the  mortal  foe  of  true  fra¬ 
ternal  union.  Unfortunately,  the  spirit  sometimes 
even  gets  into  Sodalities  and  leads  members  to 
aim  at  self-aggrandizement  by  means  of  these 
bodies. 


3Ef je  gbobalttp  of  0m  Habp 


61 


Means  of  Fostering 

It  is  the  Director’s  plain  duty  to  do  all  he  can 
to  keep  up  a  good  feeling  among  his  Sodalists. 
Here  are  a  few  hints  to  aid  him : 

He  should  always  speak  well  of  every  member, 
or  at  least  never  say  a  word  against  any  one.  It 
is  remarkable  how  it  helps  a  society  of  any  kind 
for  all  to  feel  that  its  head  is  ever  on  the  alert  to 
say  a  good  word  for  those  in  his  charge.  We  have 
often  noted  in  teachers  the  effect  of  such  action 
upon  their  classes.  It  is  the  same  principle  here. 

The  Director  will  have  many  opportunities  of 
doing  little  things  for  the  members,  either  as  a 
body  or  individually.  Every  kindly  act  he  does 
tells  for  good  on  all  the  Sodality.  Such  things 
are  told  around  and  spread  good  feeling. 

He  should  be  careful  to  harbor  no  thought  or 
sentiment  hostile  to  the  Sodality  or  any  of  its 
members.  Such  inward  feelings  are  sure  to  show 
outwardly. 

So  much  for  the  great  means  of  binding  all 
together  —  that  of  binding  them  to  the  Director. 

Besides  this,  he  can  do  much  to  prevent  or  to 
correct  bad  impressions  made  —  as  they,  of  course, 
will  be  made  —  by  members  on  one  another.  A 
word  of  explanation,  a  suggestion  that  the  motive 
was  such  and  such  a  good  one,  etc.,  will  help  to 
remove  suspicions  and  restore  confidence  and 
good  will. 


62 


GDfje  ibobalttp  of  €>ur  Habp 

Let  the  Director  be  exceedingly  vigilant  as  to 
the  great  evil  we  have  mentioned  above  —  politi¬ 
cal  ways  of  acting  among  the  members.  Let  him 
make  it  clear  that  no  such  thing  will  be  suffered. 
If  there  is  question  of  election  to  an  office,  he 
should  simply  not  allow  a  name  to  be  considered 
at  all  when  the  person  has  been  guilty  of  this 
fault. 

Sometimes,  do  what  one  may,  bickerings  and 
jealousies  will  arise  between  individual  Sodalists, 
or  between  parties.  The  one  in  charge  must  do 
all  he  can  to  put  down  and  crush  out  such  wretched 
sources  of  dissension.  They  would  soon  bring 
the  Sodality  to  an  end  as  far  as  any  solid  good  is 
concerned. 

As  a  general  help  for  union,  the  Director  should 
often  urge  fraternal  charity,  explain  how  beautiful 
a  virtue  it  is  and  tell  how  to  practise  it.  There 
are  so  many  things  that  aid  :  let  him  dwell  upon 
each  and  tell  how  to  employ  it.  Let  him  par¬ 
ticularly  insist  on  the  means  mentioned  in  the 
Rule,  and  among  them  specially  on  works  of 
mercy  to  members  that  are  ill,  and  let  him  see 
that  what  the  Rule  prescribes  be  fully  and  lovingly 
carried  out  in  the  true  spirit  of  Christian  charity. 


Prayers  for  Dead  Members 

Another  way  of  helping  fraternal  union  is  to 
make  much  of  prayers  and  Masses  said  for  the 
departed  Sodalists.  In  addition  to  its  intrinsic 


63 


Wbt  ££>otialttp  of  <&uv  Habp 

worth,  the  influence  that  this  loving  duty  faithfully 
performed  has  in  fostering  union  among  the  mem¬ 
bers  should  not  be  forgotten.  It  seems  to  bind 
them  together  in  some  such  way  as  a  common 
sorrow  does. 


(Cftapttr  VI 

iffltang  of  Ilecjutta  ttp  Eirtm^t 


Why  Necessary 


NY  association  that  exacts  effort  needs 
an  incentive  to  perseverance. 

The  love  of  our  glorious  Queen  and 
Mother  is  the  great  and  essential  one 
in  this  association,  and  the  Director  must  be  con¬ 
tinually  adding  fuel  to  keep  it  fervent.  Let  him 
put  occasions  of  self-sacrifice  for  Our  Lady’s  sake 
in  the  way  of  his  Sodalists,  speak  to  them  often 
of  Our  Lady’s  love  and  care  for  them,  urge  them 
to  appeal  to  her  in  need,  explain  the  teaching  of 
holy  Church  about  her  prerogatives,  etc.,  etc. 

But  it  is  well  not  to  neglect  external  aid  either, 
and  even  such  as  is  got  from  innocent  material 
things.  We  must  take  human  nature  as  we  find 
it  and  make  its  harmless  leanings  do  service. 

A  few  hints  will  be  helpful. 


Holidays,  Picnics,  and  Excursions 

An  old  expedient,  but  a  very  successful  one. 
Here  are  some  instances  of  what  has  been  done 
in  various  places. 

In  a  Jesuit  College  in  the  United  States,  a  few 
years  ago  the  Rev.  Father  Rector  gave  a  full  holi¬ 
day  to  the  entire  school  in  honor  of  the  Sodality. 


i 


68 


®be  ibobalttp  of  0nt  liabp 

A  sister  in  a  certain  city  arranged  a  picnic  for  her 
Sodalists  in  the  following  way.  There  was  another 
house  of  her  order  fifteen  miles  away,  where  there 
was  a  flourishing  Sodality.  She  got  the  necessary 
leave  and  invitation  and  with  her  girls  paid  a  half¬ 
day’s  visit  to  their  sister  Sodalists. 

Both  parties  were  delighted,  the  entertainers 
and  the  entertained.  Neither  was  the  time  passed 
in  social  enjoyment  only.  The  girls  joined  in  a 
common  Sodality  meeting  in  the  open  air  and  be¬ 
fore  Our  Lady’s  statue.  Hymns  were  sung  and 
the  Act  of  Consecration  was  recited.  The  visitors 
went  home  refreshed  and  edified  by  their  little 
trip ;  the  visited  were  proud  of  their  new  acquaint¬ 
ances  and  glad  of  the  chance  to  do  the  honors  of 
their  convent  home.  Both  were  more  enthusiastic 
Sodalists  for  the  event. 

At  another  convent,  the  Children  of  Mary  were 
given  an  extra  holiday  and  taken  off  on  an  ex¬ 
cursion  to  a  neighboring  religious  house  not  of 
the  same  order.  The  good  Superior  there  treated 
them  as  Sodalists  ought  to  be  treated.  On  their 
return  they  were  given  dinner  in  the  parlor — a 
most  extraordinary  privilege. 

In  another  school,  the  Director  got  his  youthful 
Sodalists  together  and  made  with  them  a  pilgrim¬ 
age  to  a  shrine  of  Our  Lady  in  the  neighborhood. 
An  account  was  written  and  published  by  one  of 
the  boys.  It  breathes  the  spirit  of  loving  devotion 
to  her  whom  the  boys  felt  they  had  visited  indeed. 


£§>obalttp  of  0nv  Habp 


69 


We  are  constantly  reading  of  pilgrimages  made 
by  people  of  all  ages  belonging  to  Sodalities. 

In  many  parishes,  a  picnic  is  one  of  the  regular 
attractions  of  the  Sodality  every  year. 

Such  events,  besides  serving  to  keep  up  interest 
in  the  Sodality,  can  be  made  occasions  of  much 
devotion  to  Our  Lady. 

Distinctions 

One  will  have  to  exercise  his  ingenuity  here, 
if  he  has  charge  of  a  Sodality  of  grown  people. 
One  thing  might  be  suggested  for  them,  which  is 
practised  in  some  parishes  —  going  to  Holy  Com¬ 
munion,  on  Sodality  days,  either  before  or  after 
the  rest  of  the  people,  and  having  a  fixed  place  in 
the  church  reserved  to  them. 

Another  opportunity  could  be  found  in  taking 
none  but  Sodalists  for  ushers  in  the  church,  or  at 
least  at  the  High  Mass,  or  on  the  more  solemn 
occasions. 

A  third  could  be  not  allowing  any  but  Sodalists 
to  be  Promoters  of  the  Apostleship  of  Prayer. 

Still  another,  and  a  very  proper  distinction, 
would  be  that  the  Sodality  should  supply  the 
members  of  the  Altar  Society. 

Distinctions  are,  perhaps,  easier  to  manage  in 
colleges  and  convents.  In  one  place  we  knew  of, 
only  Sodalists  were  allowed  to  serve  Mass.  In 
another,  the  boys  used  to  wear  a  special  button, 
differing  somewhat  for  various  grades  in  the 


70 


®fje  ££>obalttp  of  (Dur  Habp 


Sodality.  It  should  be  noted  that  many  boys 
prefer  not  to  have  a  ribbon  to  their  medals  when 
the  ribbon  is  to  go  around  the  neck.  A  pin  would 
often  be  better  in  this  country. 

In  most  convent  schools  where  there  are 
Children  of  Mary,  they  wear  some  mark  of  honor 
—  a  blue  sash  or  some  other  ornament. 

These  and  similar  distinctions  are  highly  prized 
by  their  possessors  and  keep  up  the  esprit  de 
corps  which  is  so  potent  a  factor,  at  all  stages  of 
life. 

It  is  well  to  have  the  distinctions  belong  to  all 
alike,  or  at  least  be  had  by  rotation  among  all  if 
they  cannot  be  always  in  every  one’s  possession. 

To  prevent  vanity,  let  it  be  clear  in  all  such 
matters  that  the  distinction  is  meant  to  set  off  the 
Sodality  as  such,  and  not  so  much  the  individual. 
The  Director  should  try  to  make  the  members 
realize  that  it  is  the  Sodality  which  brings  them 
honor. 

Another  hint  is,  frequently  to  remind  one’s  So¬ 
dality  that  the  body  they  belong  to  includes  the 
best  and  noblest  that  the  Catholic  Church  pro¬ 
duces.  They  are  no  mere  association  of  fifty  or  a 
hundred  men,  or  women,  or  boys,  or  girls :  they  are 
fellows  with  unnumbered  able  and  distinguished 
men  and  women  in  all  the  walks  of  life.  To  the 
same  society  with  them  have  belonged  as  many  as 
25,000,000  fervent  souls  during  the  350  years  of 
its  existence ;  among  them  no  fewer  than  sixteen 


71 


tEfje  gbobalttp  of  0nv  Hafcrp 

canonized  Saints,  besides  many  of  the  Blessed  and 
of  those  declared  Venerable  by  the  Church. 

To  bring  home  to  the  members  the  honor  there 
is  in  being  a  Sodalist,  some  Sodalities  have  what 
are  called  Honorary  Members.  One  abroad  in¬ 
cludes  as  such  two  Cardinals,  the  Nuncio  Apostolic, 
and  eighteen  Archbishops  and  Bishops.  These  dig¬ 
nitaries  of  the  Church  are  members  in  full  right, 
and  the  dates  of  their  reception  are  recorded  in 
the  catalogue,  but  of  course  are  not  often  able  to 
attend  meetings. 

Again,  if  it  is  a  school  Sodality  one  has  charge 
of,  one  must  not  make  the  mistake  of  letting  one’s 
Sodalists  think  the  Sodality  meeting  a  part  of  the 
curriculum.  Nothing  could  be  further  from  the 
purpose.  Belonging  to  the  Sodality  and  attend¬ 
ance  at  the  meetings  is  a  thing  of  their  free  choice. 
They  should  feel  proud  to  be  allowed  to  be  mem¬ 
bers  and  to  attend.  One  must  never  dream  of 
inflicting  a  school  punishment  for  any  Sodality 
offence. 

Privileges  and  Exemptions 

Sodalists  are  in  many  places  allowed  precedence, 
or  granted  certain  exemptions. 

We  have  already  called  attention  to  the  custom 
existing  in  some  parishes  of  having  Sodalists  go  to 
Holy  Communion  at  a  special  time. 

In  some  places,  perhaps,  it  would  serve  to  allow 
Sodalists  to  go  to  their  seat  at  Mass  without  pay¬ 
ing  the  customary  fee  at  the  door. 


f 


72 


tKfje  i^obalitp  of  0nx  Habp 

In  a  certain  convent,  none  but  Children  of 
Mary  are  allowed  to  go  shopping  without  a  chap¬ 
eron.  In  certain  others,  they  take  the  nun’s  place 
in  the  class  room  or  on  the  playground  when  she 
is  absent. 

In  some  Sodalities,  it  is  the  officers  that  are 
treated  with  special  honor  by  the  Pastor  or  the 
head  of  the  school.  The  effect  is  the  same  as  if 
all  were  so  distinguished,  as  all  the  Sodalists  rea¬ 
lize  it  is  a  privilege  of  the  Sodality.  At  a  certain 
college,  the  Prefect  has  a  most  honorable  privilege 
—  that  he  is  free  to  go  and  come  as  he  chooses  and 
is  not  subject  to  punishment.  He  can,  of  course, 
be  deposed,  but  cannot  be  punished  as  long  as 
he  is  in  office.  The  manner  of  conferring  this 
highly  prized  privilege  made  it  still  more  hon¬ 
orable,  for  it  was  granted  by  the  authority  of  the 
Reverend  President  of  the  University  in  a  sol¬ 
emn  academic  meeting  of  the  students,  and  in 
perpetuity. 

In  the  matter  of  privileges  and  exemptions, 
each  Sodality  will  have  its  own  special  possibili¬ 
ties  and  its  own  peculiar  needs.  The  above  are 
instances  given  by  way  of  suggestion,  but  they 
could  not  all  be  copied  in  every  place.  Something, 
however,  of  this  kind  could  be  done  everywhere 
to  help  on  the  good  work. 

In  awarding  individual  privileges,  let  them  be 
granted,  as  far  as  possible,  to  the  hardest  workers 
and  the  most  zealous  Sodalists. 


73 


VLi )t  of  0nv  Xabp 

It  would  help  occasionally  to  have  the  recip¬ 
ients  chosen  by  vote  of  the  Sodality. 

Another  hint :  the  privilege  or  exemption  granted 
need  not  be  perpetual.  Often,  indeed,  it  is  more 
effectual  to  assign  it  for  a  limited  —  and  not  a  long 
—  time,  especially  in  schools. 

Feasts 

A  feast  has  much  to  do  with  keeping  up  good 
will,  even  among  those  no  longer  children. 

Nothing  elaborate  is  necessary,  nor  anything 
very  expensive.  At  Christmas  time,  or  in  May,  or, 
best  of  all,  on  the  patronal  feast,  a  little  ice  cream 
and  cake  and  fruit  could  be  had.  If  one  wishes, 
a  literary  feature  can  be  added  and  the  occasion 
can  rise  to  the  dignity  of  speeches  and  toasts. 

Older  people  would  relish  a  quiet  smoke,  or  a 
social  tea.  Each  Sodality  according  to  the  age 
and  likings  of  the  members. 

The  breakfast  which  is,  in  some  places,  taken 
in  common  after  the  Communion  of  the  Annual 
Retreat,  belongs  under  this  head  and  helps  to 
keep  up  interest  in  the  Sodality. 

In  all  such  affairs  it  is  better  to  admit  none  but 
Sodalists,  though,  in  some  cases,  the  Sodalists  are 
proud  to  be  able  to  bring  a  friend  or  two  with 
them.  If  there  are  addresses,  the  presence  of 
outsiders  would  help  in  some  places :  what  is  said 
would  be  repeated  to  more  people  and  bring  more 
prestige  to  the  Sodality. 


74 


tEfje  ££>obalttp  of  0nv  Habp 


Entertainments 

An  occasional  musicale,  or  a  play,  or  a  reading 
—  for  the  Sodality  only,  or  for  the  public  under 
the  Sodality’s  auspices  —  serves  the  purpose.  Let 
it  be  understood,  though,  to  be  the  Sodality’s  own 
work  ;  let  all  the  management  be  in  the  hands  of 
the  members,  and  their  names  appear  in  connec¬ 
tion  with  the  affair.  If  there  is  talent  among  the 
members,  it  helps  to  bring  them  out,  rather  than 
hire  outside  artists.  The  more  distinctly  a  Sodality 
event  it  is,  the  better. 

The  Director  should  see  to  it  that  all  such 
things  are  well  done :  otherwise,  they  would  rather 
bring  discredit  on  the  Sodality. 


Programs 

When  receptions  into  the  Sodality  take  place, 
or  when  an  entertainment  is  got  up,  or  a  feast, 
it  is  well  to  have  a  program  printed.  Let  it  be 
beautifully  made,  and  let  it  contain  the  names  of 
the  Officers  and  Sodalists.  The  expense  will  be 
amply  repaid. 

If  one  is  directing  a  school  Sodality,  let  him 
encourage  the  pupils  to  send  their  programs 
home.  Many  parents  have  the  good  sense  to 
reward  materially  the  appearance  of  their  child’s 
name  on  such  sheets. 

For  programs  of  this  kind,  a  Sodality  seal  is 
useful.  It  is  not  expensive  to  have  one  made  from 


75 


tZTfjc  ibohalttp  of  <£>ur  Habp 

the  Medal.  A  neat  and  well  executed  seal  would 
be  appreciated  on  note-paper,  also.  Sodalists  in 
a  boarding  school  would  gladly  pay  the  extra  sum 
such  paper  would  cost.  In  general,  the  seal 
would  go  well  and  lend  dignity  to  anything  the 
Director  prints  for  the  Sodality. 


Notice  in  Newspapers 

This  is  a  great  help,  and  with  a  little  foresight 
can  usually  be  managed.  A  Director  will  often 
have  some  one  in  his  Sodality  that  can  have  a 
report  published  of  its  chief  events.  Let  the 
account  be  of  a  kind  to  encourage  the  actual 
members  and  to  draw  others.  It  is  well  to  have 
it  written  in  as  finished  a  style  as  possible  —  in 
a  word,  it  should  have  the  effect  of  making  the 
members  proud  of  their  society. 

If  there  is  a  paper  or  periodical  connected  with 
the  institution  where  one  is,  one  can  utilize  its 
columns  for  the  same  purpose. 

Publication  of  Names  of  Officers  and  Members 

A  very  old  custom  —  indeed,  a  rule — in  Sodal¬ 
ities  is  to  have  constantly  posted  up  in  some 
prominent  place  the  list  of  members  in  good  stand¬ 
ing.  The  reception  room,  or  one  of  the  most 
frequented  corridors  of  a  school,  or  the  porch  of 
a  church,  or  the  parlor  of  the  rectory,  is  a  good 
place  for  this.  As  splendid  a  panel  or  frame  as 


76 


GTf )t  i&obalrtp  of  0nv  Habp 

one  can  procure  could  be  set  up  and  the  names 
could  appear  there  prominently. 

Programs,  etc.,  can  be  used  for  the  same  pur¬ 
pose.  In  all  such  publications,  let  the  name  of 
each  member  be  given  in  the  most  honorable  way 
that  can  be  devised. 

When  the  Sodality  is  written  up  for  newspapers, 
the  Director  should  see  that  the  names  be  accu¬ 
rately  given  and  correctly  spelled. 

There  is  a  beautiful  book  printed  by  the  Sodal¬ 
ity  of  the  Ateneo  of  Manila  in  which  are  published 
even  'photographs  of  the  officers.  We  know  of  a 
society  which  used  to  record  in  this  way  annually 
all  the  actual  members  of  the  year.  Records  like 
this  become  very  interesting  and,  indeed,  precious 
in  a  short  while. 

By  this  means,  or  at  least  by  ordinary  print,  the 
officers  and  members  could  be  set  down  in  the 
annual  booklet  got  out  —  where  it  can  be  done  — 
as  a  medium  of  communication  with  old  members. 

Church  Functions 

These  are  possible  in  every  Sodality.  They 
should  be  conducted  on  as  grand  a  scale  as  pos¬ 
sible. 

Receptions  should  be  held  at  Solemn  Benedic¬ 
tion  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament.  If  that  cannot  be, 
at  least  the  altar  should  be  brilliantly  lighted  and 
tastefully  decorated  for  them.  Fine  vestments  also 
should  be  employed,  the  singing  should  be  in  ex- 


3flfje  gbobalttp  of  <£>ur  Habp 


77 


cellent  taste  and  perfectly  executed  and  the  cere¬ 
monies  faultless  and,  in  general,  everything  done 
to  make  the  members  realize  their  position  as 
Sodalists. 

The  Installation  of  Officers,  also,  should  be 
solemn.  Perhaps  in  other  places  the  Director 
could  do  something  like  what  a  certain  Director 
did  in  a  university  in  the  United  States:  all  of 
the  officers  that  could  wore  cap  and  gown  at  the 
ceremony. 

The  services  of  a  preacher  of  note  could  be 
secured  for  a  solemn  function  occasionally.  There 
are  many  devoted  priests  and  able  prelates  who 
would  be  delighted  to  have  a  chance  of  doing 
something  of  the  kind  for  Our  Lady. 

It  is  good  to  talk  up  such  features  beforehand 
and  to  refer  to  them  afterwards  with  a  certain 
pride. 

It  helps  also  to  thank,  in  public  even,  the  Sodal¬ 
ists  who  were  concerned  in  any  way  with  the 
success  of  these  church  functions. 

Exhibition  of  Sodality  Work 

A  common  way  of  doing  this  is  to  print  an 
account  of  what  is  accomplished  in  various  lines 
by  the  members.  Such,  for  instance,  is  the  prac¬ 
tice  of  the  great  Barcelona  Sodality.  The  amount 
of  collections  made  for  the  poor,  the  work  done 
in  visiting  the  sick,  teaching  Catechism,  etc.,  is 
recorded  in  a  book  printed  for  circulation,  within 


78 


Wi)t  i§>obalttp  of  <!£>ur  Habp 

and  without  the  Sodality.  Such  a  publication  is 
most  acceptable,  not  only  to  the  present  but  also 
to  the  former  active  members. 

A  famous  Sodality  abroad  prints  every  year  a 
diary  of  its  proceedings,  which  makes  highly 
edifying  reading. 

A  report  of  Sodality  work  is  published  from 
time  to  time  in  many  of  our  parish  calendars. 

An  excellent  account  of  the  kind  meant  is  that 
of  the  great  Quebec  Sodality  of  men,  which  is 
found  in  the  number  of  the  Canadian  Messenger  of 
the  Sacred  Heart  which  was  issued  for  the  Jubilee 
of  the  Immaculate  Conception. 

Besides  printed  information,  a  Sodality  might 
make  a  more  or  less  public  exhibit  of  some  of  the 
work  it  has  done.  This  would  be  quite  possible 
in  the  case  of  a  society,  for  instance,  that  sews 
for  the  poor,  or  of  an  Altar  Society  composed  of 
Sodalists. 


Academies 

In  olden  times,  often,  there  were  literary  clubs 
attached  to  Sodalities,  which  had  only  Sodalists 
as  members.  To-day,  also,  there  are  academies 
of  the  kind  in  many  places.  Perhaps  one  could 
utilize  this  feature  to  foster  interest.  Is  it  possi¬ 
ble,  for  instance,  for  the  Sodalists  to  establish  a 
Longfellow  Society,  or  a  Beading  Circle  ?  Per¬ 
haps  a  Dramatic  Society  could  be  managed,  or  a 
Debating  Club,  or  an  Art  Club,  or  a  Scientific 


79 


Cfje  ££>obalttp  of  0nv  Xabp 

Society.  Or  the  Director  might  find  even  a  So¬ 
dality  Magazine  within  his  capabilities.  Outlets 
like  these  for  literary,  scientific,  and  artistic  talent 
give  dignity  to  Sodalities  and  help  enthusiasm. 

Of  course,  not  all  the  Sodalists  could  belong  to 
a  body  of  this  kind,  which  is  necessarily  confined 
to  the  few  who  are  specially  gifted  ;  but  the  good 
effect  would  reach  all :  every  Sodalist  would  feel 
proud  of  connection,  through  the  Sodality,  with 
such  a  society. 

The  Mail 

A  final  suggestion  under  the  head  of  this  chapter 
is  the  use  of  the  mail  for  Sodality  purposes.  We 
refer  to  notifications  of  events  by  postal  card  or 
letter.  The  Sodality  could  have  its  own  seal  for 
such  purposes.  By  the  way,  we  repeat  that  it 
should  be  one  they  can  feel  proud  of.  The  officers 
could  be  notified  of  Council  meetings,  all  could  be 
reminded  of  Communion  davs,  etc.  Outsiders  also 
would  be  impressed  by  these  communications. 


Chapter  VII 
if  (tranced 


Self-Seeking 


HE  Director  must  make  one  thing  per¬ 
fectly  clear,  that  he  is  not  aiming  at 
filling  his  pockets  by  means  of  the 
Sodality.  Nothing  would  so  much 
hinder  its  success  before  God.  If  there  is  any 
danger  of  a  suspicion  like  that,  let  him  simply 
refuse  to  accept  from  the  Sodality  anything  what¬ 
ever  for  himself. 

Expenses 

The  expenses  of  the  Sodality  must  be  kept 
moderate.  To  be  sure,  some  of  the  Sodalists 
have  an  abundance  of  spending  money :  but  others 
are  not  so  fortunate.  Let  not  the  latter  be  made 
to  feel  their  inferiority.  Besides,  the  expense 
might  deprive  the  Sodality  of  very  edifying  mem¬ 
bers,  who  could  not  belong  if  the  tax  were  heavy. 

Contributions 

On  the  other  hand,  the  regular  contribution  — 
if  there  is  one  —  should  be  fixed  as  to  amount  and 
be  exacted  with  absolute  accuracy.  In  no  other 
way  can  the  accounts  be  kept  straight.  Every 
one  should  be  made  to  pay  the  sum  determined 
and  at  the  set  time.  Otherwise,  the  books  will 


84 


z  gbobalftp  of  0vlv  Habp 

always  show  deficits :  and  deficits  in  small  sums 
are  very  hard  to  make  up.  Besides,  regularity  in 
such  things  helps  the  spirit  of  fervor. 

Perhaps  it  would  be  better  in  some  Sodalities 
to  have  the  dues  payable  half-yearly.  It  would 
certainly  save  considerable  bother  and  much  at¬ 
tention  to  monev  matters.  On  the  other  hand, 
however,  it  would  probably  tax  the  members  too 
much  to  pay  in  a  lump  sum,  if  the  amount  should 
be  great. 

In  some  places  there  are  no  regular  dues,  but, 
as  at  the  collections  taken  up  during  Holy  Mass, 
each  one  contributes  at  each  meeting,  or  on  cer¬ 
tain  feast  days,  what  he  pleases  and  without  any 
one’s  knowing  how  much.  This  was  the  plan  fol¬ 
lowed  for  some  time  at  one  of  our  American 
colleges  and  is  in  use  in  many  other  places. 

But  there  is  a  distinct  advantage  in  exacting 
set  dues  regularly :  it  brings  home  the  fact  that 
the  Sodality  is  an  organization  and  it  strengthens 
the  esprit  de  corps. 

The  Director  should  get  the  right  from  the 
Council  and  feel  free  to  remit  payment  entirely  in 
some  cases,  —  when,  for  instance,  a  Sodalist  is  too 
poor,  or  is  temporarily  embarrassed.  When  he 
does  this,  he  should  not  let  the  fact  in  any  in¬ 
dividual  case  be  known  to  others.  On  the  other 
hand,  no  deficit  should  appear  in  the  books. 
Rather  let  the  Director  himself  pay  the  amount 
that  is  against  the  member,  or  better  still,  have 


85 


fEf )t  ^obalttp  of  <&m  Habp 

a  fund  on  which,  as  we  have  suggested  above, 
he  can  draw  for  that  purpose  without  being 
obliged  to  report  what  use  he  made  of  the 
money. 

It  is  useful  to  keep  a  strict  eye  on  the  Treas¬ 
urer’s  accounts.  It  is  very  easy  for  minute  sums 
to  get  confused.  Some  Rules  suppose  that  the 
books  are  in  the  Director’s  keeping ;  let  him  carry 
out  this  prescription  faithfully.  The  Director 
should  see  to  it  also  that  the  money  that  should 
be  is  actually  on  hand. 

Again,  it  is  better  not  to  allow  much  at  a  time 
to  be  in  the  Treasurer’s  keeping,  but  to  put  it  in  a 
bank  and  reserve  to  oneself  the  right  of  drawing 
it,  or  —  and  this  is  much  better  —  require  the 
Prefect’s  signature  besides  the  Treasurer’s  for 
that. 

If  the  one  in  charge  of  the  Sodality  is  cautious, 
he  will  save  himself  a  great  many  anxieties  on 
this  head  and  remove  many  temptations  from  the 
path  of  Treasurers,  who  are  sometimes  weaker 
than  they  are  known  to  be. 


Published  Accounts 

A  good  plan  is  to  publish  from  time  to  time  — 
even  in  print  —  an  account  of  all  moneys  received 
and  disbursed.  Such  a  proceeding  naturally  makes 
every  Sodalist  interested  in  the  finances,  and  lets 
it  be  clearly  seen  that  the  one  in  charge  is  not 
using  the  funds  for  his  own  purposes. 


86 


® be  H>obalitp  of  <^ur  Habp 


The  Right  to  Expend  Money 

It  would  be  well,  indeed  it  is  a  clear  necessity, 
to  have  it  plainly  determined  who  has  the  right  to 
appropriate  Sodality  money. 

It  would  be  useful,  as  we  have  said  above,  if 
the  Director  could  be  allowed  to  employ  a  certain 
amount  in  charity ,  without  being  obliged  to  report 
about  it  in  detail. 

Outside  of  this,  it  seems  proper  that  ordinarily 
no  one  should  have  the  disposal  of  Sodality  money 
without  the  Council’s  consent.  If  the  Council 
leaves  the  matter  entirely  in  the  Director’s  hands, 
as  is  practically  the  custom  in  some  places,  he 
should  be  very  accurate  and  minute  in  the  accounts 
he  presents  to  the  Council,  barring  the  certain  sum 
which,  as  we  repeat,  it  would  be  well  for  him  to 
have  the  right  to  give  in  charity  without  report¬ 
ing  the  items. 


Sodality  Articles 

It  is  worth  considering  whether,  on  the  whole, 
it  would  not  be  better  if  the  Sodality  were  to  make 
a  present  to  the  new  members  of  the  Diploma,  the 
Medal  and  the  Manual,  at  the  Reception. 

The  expense  would  be  the  same  in  the  long 
run  to  the  individual ;  or  rather,  it  would  be  less 
heavy,  because  when  the  articles  are  bought  in 
quantity  they  are  cheaper,  and  the  Sodality  would 
buy  them  in  quantity. 


87 


®i) e  g>obalitp  of  <2^ur  TLaty 

The  custom  that  exists  in  many  Sodalities  of 
charging  a  large  sum  for  these  things,  much  more 
than  they  actually  cost,  has,  indeed,  its  justifica¬ 
tion,  as  the  new  members  understand,  no  doubt, 
that  in  paying  so  much  they  are  but  contributing 
to  a  common  fund.  But  it  must  sometimes  deter 
otherwise  eligible  candidates  from  applying,  and  it 
certainly  embarrasses  many  for  the  time.  It  would 
make  a  much  better  impression  simply  to  give 
these  articles  free  of  charge  and  pay  for  them  out 
of  the  Sodality  treasury.  We  have  never  heard 
of  admission  to  the  Sodality  being  granted  just  to 
get  this  initial  fee ;  but  is  the  thing  impossible  ? 
It  occurs  in  all  sorts  of  other  organizations. 

There  is,  to  be  sure,  another  side  of  the  question, 
which  is  this  :  People  prize  more  highly  what  has 
cost  them  something. 

But  whatever  plan  is  adopted,  it  must  be  kept 
unmistakably  clear  that  the  Sodality  is  not  a  money 
business  and  is  not  going  to  be  conducted  on  sordid 
lines  in  any  way  whatever.  At  least  in  this  society 
let  us  be,  and  keep  ourselves,  absolutely  free  from 
all  that  is  miserly,  grasping,  and  mean. 


Chapter  VIII 

Cltcrtce  autr  Cveatmeut  af  ©fliemJ 


Importance  of  the  Matter 


ERVOR  in  Sodalists  and  zeal  and  pru¬ 
dence  in  the  Director  are  essentials^ 
but  they  are  not  sufficient  for  success. 
A  poor  body  of  officers  would  be  con¬ 
stantly  in  one’s  way.  They  might  give  bad  ex¬ 
ample,  or  they  might  neglect  their  official  duties. 
In  either  case,  the  one  in  charge  would  have  up¬ 
hill  work.  In  a  rightly  constituted  Sodality,  each 
official  bears  a  portion  of  the  burden :  it  is  not  fair 
that  that  portion  should  come  upon  the  Director. 
For  instance,  it  would  hamper  the  Director  consid¬ 
erably  to  be  obliged  to  keep  the  accounts,  or  to  be 
recording  the  absentees.  It  is  important,  then, 
that  each  officer  be  fitted  for  the  post  occupied, 
and  fulfil  its  duties  perfectly. 

Observance  of  the  Rule  for  Election 

As  to  elections,  the  Rule  once  adopted  —  what¬ 
ever  it  be  —  should  be  observed  accurately.  It  is 
a  source  of  blessing  to  do  as  one  ought,  and  if 
the  Director  follows  what  is  prescribed,  all  will 
feel  incited  to  do  the  same.  It  is  seldom  really 
profitable  to  modify  a  rule  on  the  spur  of  the 
moment. 


92 


Qtt) e  ^obalttp  of  0nv  Habp 

If  there  is  nothing  set  down  in  the  Rule,  the 
Director  will  find  it  best  to  adopt  the  method 
which  very  long  experience  has  consecrated.  We 
refer  to  what  we  said  above  about  the  election  of 
the  three  highest  officers  in  this  way:  Three 
names,  chosen  by  the  Council,  are  proposed  to  the 
Sodality.  The  one  who  gets  the  largest  vote  be¬ 
comes  Prefect,  the  next,  First  Assistant,  the  last, 
Second  Assistant.  The  other  officers,  as  was  also 
said  above,  are  usually  elected  by  the  Council,  or 
are  appointed  by  the  Director  or  the  Prefect. 

Yearly  Elections 

Some  directors  would  prefer  to  retain  the  offi¬ 
cers  as  long  as  they  give  satisfaction.  The  Direc¬ 
tor  has  the  power  to  do  so,  if  he  likes,  but  the 
reasons  must  be  good. 

There  is  one  advantage  in  yearly  changes :  they 
keep  the  Rules  in  force.  Officers  long  in  position 
frequently  forget  the  Rules,  or  get  careless  about 
them. 

Besides,  a  yearly  change  of  officers  leaves 
chance  for  all  to  be  elected,  and  it  helps  much  for 
all  to  feel  they  are  so  deeply  concerned  in  the 
Sodality  as  to  be  really  eligible  for  its  offices. 

A.  good  time  for  the  yearly  election  in  schools 
—  perhaps  the  same  is  true  of  all  Sodalities  —  is 
a  month  or  so  before  the  end  of  the  scholastic  year. 
The  month  of  May  is  a  natural  time.  In  this 
way,  when  the  new  year  begins,  the  officers  will 


93 


®fje  ibobalttp  of  <0ur  Xabp 

be  fresh  and  fervent.  Besides,  a  good  choice  is 
easier  at  the  end  of  the  scholastic  year,  as  all  then 
know  one  another  well. 


Choice  of  Candidates 

In  the  choice  which  the  one  in  charge  makes, 
let  him  be  careful  to  put  up  no  candidate  for  any 
office,  no  matter  how  insignificant,  that  is  not 
really  and  as  far  as  he  can  see,  fit  for  it  and  likely 
to  advance  the  Sodality  to  our  Blessed  Mother’s 
honor.  It  would,  doubtless,  be  well,  in  most 
cases,  for  the  Director  to  take  advice  in  private  as 
to  the  ones  he  thinks  of  proposing.  It  would  be 
disastrous  to  make  a  mistake  in  a  thing  of  so  great 
importance. 

The  choice  of  candidates,  however,  usually 
belongs  to  the  one  in  charge,  and  he  should 
not  allow  voting  for  any  one  whom  he  has  not 
proposed. 

If  he  can,  the  Director  should  have  as  candi¬ 
dates  for  offices  such  as  are  not  only  diligent ,  reli¬ 
able  and  devout ,  but  also  popular.  It  is  hard  to 
secure  the  combination  in  the  same  persons  of  all 
these  qualities,  but  it  has  been  done  and  the  effect 
has  always  been  remarkable.  In  a  college  in 
America  some  years  ago  two  successive  Prefects 
were  so  carefully  chosen  that  they  were  recognized 
by  all  to  be  at  once  excellent  in  class  work,  leaders 
in  sports  and  general  favorites.  Their  election 
gave  a  great  impetus  to  the  Sodality. 


94 


Gflfje  i^obalttp  of  <0ur  Habp 

Nothing  helps  so  much  as  to  have  an  excellent 
Prefect.  The  Prefect  is  constantly  in  the  eye  of 
the  Sodality  and  gives  example  that  cannot  fail  to 
be  noted  and  to  contribute  to  edification,  or  the 
reverse. 


Qualities  Necessary  in  Officers 

Besides  the  qualities  requisite  for  every  officer 
—  great  love  of  Our  Lady,  zeal  for  the  better 
things  of  Catholic  life,  distinct  ability,  trustworthi¬ 
ness  and  popularity  —  these  are  some  that  are 
called  for  in  particular  in  the  several  positions 
to  be  filled : 

Prefect  The  Prefect  should  be  one  of  the  most 
exemplary  and  notable  of  the  Sodalists,  a  good 
manager,  affable,  spiritual-minded,  thoroughly  alive 
to  Sodality  interests  and  well  acquainted  with  the 
members.  Usually  it  is  bad  policy  to  have  a  new¬ 
comer  in  the  office,  or  one  who  is  considerably 
younger  than  the  rest,  or  who  is  from  a  lower  con¬ 
dition  in  life.  Besides  being  excellent,  the  Prefect 
should  be  recognized  as  such. 

Assistants.  The  Assistants  should  have  the 
same  qualities  as  the  Prefect,  and  should  be  per¬ 
sons  who  might  with  profit  be  elected  to  the 
highest  office  later  on. 

Secretary.  The  Secretary  should  be  diligent 
and  accurate,  and  businesslike  and  reliable. 

Treasurer.  The  Treasurer  must  be  conscien¬ 
tious  and  careful  of  details. 


95 


3Tfj e  gbobalitp  of  0nt  Xabp 

Instructor  of  Candidates.  This  office  would  be 
best  filled  by  a  former  Prefect,  as  the  person  who 
fills  it  should  be  one  to  command  respect.  If 
there  is  no  former  Prefect  available,  it  is  well  to 
have  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  able  Sodalists 
in  the  position. 

Consultors .  The  Consultors  should  be  devoted 
to  the  Sodality  and  its  work,  and  should  know  the 
members  well.  They  must  be  persons  whom  the 
rest  can  and  do  look  up  to. 

Sacristans.  One  of  these  could  be  in  training 
and  could,  therefore,  be  from  among  the  younger 
members.  The  other  should  be  already  formed, 
and  should  be  prompt  and  trustworthy. 

Choir  Master.  The  one  in  charge  of  the  choir 
besides  being  a  musician  of  some  kind,  should  have 
considerable  managerial  ability. 

Reader.  The  Reader  must  be  well  chosen. 

First  of  all,  he  must  be  a  person  who  can  be 
relied  on  for  promptness  —  in  the  Reader’s  case, 
this  means  he  must  be  on  hand  some  minutes 
before  the  hour  set  for  meeting.  In  some  places, 
such  as  colleges  and  convents,  a  bell  is  rung  five 
minutes  before  the  hour,  to  warn  all  to  be  in  their 
places  soon.  The  Reader  would  begin  a  minute 
or  so  later  than  that.  The  old  custom  —  a  custom 
which  is  embodied  in  some  Rules  —  says  the 
Reader  begins  as  soon  as  a  few  are  assembled. 
In  some  places  the  members  begin  to  arrive  a 
quarter  of  an  hour  or  more  ahead  of  the  time 


96 


%\ )t  ikihalttp  of  <&uv  Hah? 

fixed ;  in  this  case,  it  is  better  to  have  the  Reader 
always  begin  a  fixed  time  —  say  ten  minutes  — 
before  the  hour. 

Secondly,  the  Reader  must  have  a  clear,  strong, 
and,  if  possible,  sympathetic  voice,  but  above  all 
he  must  be  perfectly  intelligible  throughout  the 
meeting  place. 

Again,  as  is  clear,  a  certain  amount  of  educa¬ 
tion  is  a  requisite  for  this  office,  because  the  audi¬ 
ence  must  not  be  distracted  by  mispronunciation 
or  wrong  emphasis. 

The  Reader  is  prominently  before  the  Sodality. 
Hence,  it  is  important  to  have  in  this  office  one 
who  is  highly  considered  as  a  Sodalist.  A  former 
Prefect,  or  one  who  has  filled  a  high  office  would 
be  best. 

Besides  the  above  officers,  the  one  in  charge 
may  have  others  chosen  if  he  needs  them. 

A  Librarian  is  necessary  in  some  Sodalities,  as 
every  such  body  should  have  a  library  of  at  least 
spiritual  books  for  the  members. 

In  some  Sodalities  it  is  customary  to  assign  each 
newcomer  or  candidate  a  friend  and  guide,  who  is 
called  Guardian  Angel.  The  duty  of  the  Angel 
is  to  teach  the  customs  and  protect  the  person  in 
his  charge  from  bad  companions. 

The  Election 

Let  anything  like  canvassing  or  political  jobbery 
be  banished.  It  can  be  prevented  by  having  the 


97 


GEjje  i£>obalttp  of  (£>ur  ICabp 

election  held  at  a  time  and  in  a  place  where  talk¬ 
ing  is  not  allowed,  and  by  taking  the  vote  of  the 
Council  for  candidates  proposed  by  the  Director 
just  before  the  Sodality  meeting ;  in  this  way  it 
will  be  impossible  to  know  who  are  to  be 
candidates. 

Let  the  act  be  surrounded  with  a  religious 
atmosphere.  A  proper  and  usual  beginning  is  the 
Veni  Creator  ;  then  could  be  given  a  brief  address 
urging  the  necessity  of  candor  and  conscientious¬ 
ness  and  showing  how  important  good  officers  are. 
Next  follows  the  election.  About  this  the  follow¬ 
ing  hints  may  be  serviceable  and  represents  what 
is  done  in  many  Sodalities  :  — 

Two  Sodalists  are  chosen  to  count  with  the 
Director  the  votes  cast.  These  two  must  not 
be  candidates  themselves  for  any  of  the  highest 
offices. 

If  the  process  of  counting  the  votes  would  take 
long,  the  Office ,  or  the  Litany  of  Loretto ,  could  be 
recited  during  it. 

When  the  count  is  completed,  it  is  best  to 
announce  it  immediately,  and  congratulate  the 
members  elected. 

In  some  places,  there  is  a  kind  of  special  order 
for  the  election  meeting,  but  usually  it  is  not 
necessary  to  omit  the  regular  exercises :  at  most, 
they  could  be  shortened  a  little.  If  the  Prefect 
or  the  Secretary  has  the  ballots  ready  before  the 

meeting,  and  the  Sodality  is  not  a  large  one,  the 

7 


98 


Cjje  ibobalttp  of  0nv  Habp 


whole  election  need  not  take  over  five  or  ten 
minutes.  It  will  be  remembered  that  the  entire 
Sodality  does  not  vote  for  any  but  the  three  high¬ 
est  offices,  and  that  they  cast  but  one  ballot  for 
all  three. 

i 

Treatment  of  Officers 

The  office  of  the  Prefect  and  other  offices,  as 
far  as  is  possible,  should  be  surrounded  with 
distinction. 

The  Prefect  and  officers  should  be  treated  with 
evident  confidence.  It  is  well  to  defer  to  their 
opinion  and  let  it  be  known  to  all  by  one’s  man¬ 
ner  of  acting  that  one  trusts  them. 

The  Director  ought  to  manage  little  occasions 
for  showing  the  officers  special  honor.  Perhaps, 
he  could  arrange  a  little  separate  talk  to  them 
occasionally,  or  an  excursion,  or  an  entertainment 
of  some  kind.  The  glory  of  God  will  be  helped 
by  his  going  to  this  trouble. 

Perhaps,  it  would  be  possible  to  have  an  Inner 
Sodality  composed  of  the  old  officers  and  the 
new.  They  could  aim  at  some  higher  work  and 
could  be  the  prime  movers  in  projects  for  the 
general  good. 

Let  no  office  be  despised.  To  this  it  would 
help  to  choose  sometimes  for  an  office  that  does 
not  admit  to  the  Council  a  former  Prefect,  or 
some  other  high  official.  Indeed,  as  has  been 
said,  it  would  always  be  well  to  have  such  a 


99 


tEfje  ££>otralitp  of  0ur  Habp 

Sodalist  in  the  position  of  Reader:  the  same  is 
true  of  that  of  Choir  Master. 

Each  officer  must  be  allowed  to  fulfil  the  duties 
of  the  office  and  must  not  be  interfered  with  unless 
it  is  absolutely  necessary.  It  is  so  easy,  when  the 
Director  is  energetic  and  zealous,  for  him  to  be 
tempted  to  take  all  the  work  on  himself.  Now, 
that  is  bad  in  two  ways  :  it  burdens  the  Director 
too  much  and  destroys  the  subordinates’  interest 
in  their  duties. 

Perhaps  some  officer  is  delinquent.  The 
Director  should  not  take  the  duties  on  himself, 
but  speak  kindly  to  the  officer  and  urge  the  ne¬ 
cessity  of  accurate  fulfilment  of  duties.  If  the 
admonition  fails  to  have  the  desired  effect,  per¬ 
haps  it  would  be  better  to  get  the  officer  to  resign 
and  have  him  replaced:  but  this  must  be  done 
without  asperity,  or  any  show  of  anger,  and  only 
after  advice  with  the  Prefect,  or  other  officials. 

The  one  in  charge  ought  to  know  every  officer 
well :  without  that,  he  will  find  it  hard  to  govern 
them  successfully. 

Sodalities  are  frequently  injured  by  the  officers, 
or  some  of  them,  not  giving  good  example.  That 
should  be  corrected  as  soon  as  possible.  A  new 
election,  of  course,  will  make  it  possible,  but  the 
Director  need  not  wait  till  then.  He  should  do 
all  he  can  in  the  meantime  to  remove  the  disedi- 
fication,  and  get  subordinates  to  be  more  careful 
to  live  up  to  their  positions  in  the  Sodality. 


100 


Wot  gbobalttp  of  <&ut  Habp 


The  Council 

The  meetings  of  the  Council  should  take  place 
once  a  month.  The  one  in  charge  arranges  with 
the  Prefect  what  topics  are  to  be  discussed.  The 
Director  —  at  least  in  some  Sodalities  —  does  not 
preside  at  these  meetings  and  in  many  cases  would 
do  well  not  even  to  be  present.  If  he  is  absent, 
the  Council  will  see  that  he  wants  their  own 
sentiments  to  be  expressed;  if  he  is  there,  the 
Councillors  may  feel  that  he  wishes  them  to  shape 
their  ideas  to  suit  him.  He  will  often  find  advice 
given  in  his  absence  very  wise  and  profitable. 
Besides,  it  often  happens  that  there  are  among  the 
Sodalists  feelings  about  something  which  have  not 
come  to  the  Director’s  notice.  He  will  learn  of 
them  in  this  way. 

The  Director  will  understand,  of  course,  that 
he  is  not  obliged  to  follow  the  advice  of  the 
Council  —  though  it  is  usually  the  wisest  course 
to  follow  it  —  and  that  he  may  veto  their  de¬ 
cisions. 

He  should,  however,  use  the  veto  power  not  at 
all,  if  he  can  avoid  it.  If  there  is  something  that 
he  thinks  is  really  important  for  Our  Lady’s  honor, 
let  him  talk  it  up  among  the  Councillors  before  he 
proposes  it  through  the  Prefect.  In  that  way,  the 
votes  will  usually  be  in  favor  of  his  project.  If 
the  vote  is  then  against  his  plan,  it  is  likely  the 
plan  is  not  for  the  best. 


101 


fKfje  g>ohalttp  of  0nv  Habp 

When  the  old  officers  are  going  out  of  office,  it 
is  helpful  to  praise  them  in  public,  if  one  can,  for 
their  fidelity  and  good  example.  This  will  en¬ 
courage  them,  and  give  ambition  to  the  new  ones, 
and  advance  the  whole  Sodality. 


CftrtptCf  IX 

Cfytt'cttfctf  of  iitftg 


Reminders 


HE  Exercises  of  Piety  are  clearly  defined 
in  most  Rules. 

The  one  in  charge  will  find  it  neces¬ 
sary  to  remind  the  Sodality  frequently 
of  what  is  expected  of  them  as  to  these  exercises. 
He  can  do  so  by  set  exhortations  from  time  to 
time,  or  by  a  word  now  and  again  in  the  course 
of  conferences  on  other  subjects.  Either  way  will 
do,  and  each  has  its  advantages.  The  set  ex¬ 
hortation  makes  a  strong  impression,  but  the  oc¬ 
casional  hint  keeps  the  matter  more  constantly 
in  mind.  A  combination  of  the  two  methods 
would  reach  both  ends. 

It  will  also  be  necessary  to  explain  how  each 
Exercise  of  Piety  is  to  be  done  to  render  it  fruit¬ 
ful.  It  is  not  sufficient  to  do  this  once  for  all  at 
the  inception  of  a  Sodality.  Sodalists,  like  other 
people,  forget.  At  least  once  a  year,  then,  it  will 
be  necessary  to  give  explanations  of  this  kind. 
If  the  Director  desires  that  the  Rule  should  be  ob¬ 
served  in  detail,  he  will  find  it  imperative  to  insist 
particularly  and  often  on  such  things  as  Medita¬ 
tion,  Spiritual  Reading,  Daily  Mass,  the  Particular 
Examen,  Self-denial,  Humility,  and  Frequent  Com- 


106 


H>ohalttp  of  <!^ur  JLabp 

munion,  suggesting  aids,  removing  difficulties, 
encouraging,  telling  stories  from  his  own  experi¬ 
ence,  or  from  the  lives  of  holy  Sodalists  and  the 
Saints,  how  these  practices  of  a  devout  life  are  to 
be  carried  on. 


Practices  Recommended  in  the  Rule 

The  Exercises  of  Piety  set  down  in  the  Rule  are 
much  more  important  than  anything  else  in  it  — 
indeed,  the  personal  perfection  of  the  Sodalists  is 
the  fruit  of  them,  and  that  is  always  more  to  be 
considered  than  any  other  object  of  the  Sodality. 
Hence,  it  may  be  useful  to  propose  here  some¬ 
what  minute  topics  for  exhortation  in  public  or 
in  private,  and  for  those  quiet  chats  which  make 
so  largely  for  individual  sanctity.  Many  such 
points  can  be  found  in  every  good  Sodality  Man¬ 
ual;  many  more  will  of  course  occur  to  each 
and  every  Director.  We  mean  to  merely  make 
suggestions. 

Vocal  Prayers 

How  to  say  —  Various  methods  —  Fruit  to  aim 
at.  The  Beads  should  be  particularly  explained  — 
The  history  of  the  Rosary  —  Its  efficacy  —  The 
way  to  help  oneself  to  meditate  while  saying  the 
beads. 

The  Offices  of  Our  Lady,  especially  those  in 
the  Manual  that  is  used,  should  be  made  intelli¬ 
gible  to  all. 


Cfje  ibobalitp  of  <&ut  Habp 


107 


General  Examen 

The  Director  should  insist  on  the  General 
Examen  being  made  without  fail  every  day. 
It  is  at  once  the  easiest  and  the  most  essential  of 
all  the  exercises  recommended.  Sickness  need 
not  hinder  it ;  the  daily  duties  of  one’s  life  should 
never  be  allowed  to  interfere  with  it.  If  a  quar¬ 
ter  of  an  hour  cannot  be  given  to  it,  five  minutes 
can. 

As  to  this  exercise,  the  following  points  for 
talks  will  be  helpful : 

The  method  followed  —  Thanksgiving  urged ; 
especially  for  benefits  lately  received  — Scrupu¬ 
losity  avoided  in  the  examination  proper ;  lax¬ 
ness  also  —  Contrition  the  main  thing  —  Motive 
to  be  as  perfect  as  it  can  be  got  —  Purpose  of 
amendment  definite  and  practical  —  Variety  in  the 
prayers  of  the  Examen  —  Use  of  a  written  form 
for  self-examination  —  Position  to  be  taken  at 
various  parts  —  Keeping  a  Spiritual  Diary. 


Particular  Examen 

How  to  make  it  —  What  can  be  expected  from 
it  —  What  kind  of  a  subject  to  take —  Means  for 
varying  the  practice  —  How  to  avoid  tedium  — 
What  position  to  take  during  it  —  Examples  of 
its  utility  —  How  the  Saints  used  it  —  The  pre¬ 
dominant  passion  —  How  to  attack  the  enemy  in 
detail. 


108 


Gtfje  ££>obalttp  of  €>ur  Habp 


Mental  Prayer 

On  this  subject  much  instruction  will  be  neces¬ 
sary,  and  the  Director  will  have  to  repeat  it  fre¬ 
quently.  All  the  methods  ought  to  be  explained 
in  detail  and  practical  illustrations  should  be 
given.  It  would  be  well  to  have  something  like 
a  repetition  of  meditation  occasionally,  if  it  can  be 
managed.  Perhaps  it  would  be  possible  on  a 
regular  meeting  day,  if  the  office  is  replaced  by  a 
Meditation.  Some  one  might  be  called  on  to  go 
over  the  Meditation  after  it  is  finished  and  tell 
how  it  went  in  his  case. 

A  good  Manual  will  contain  a  careful  analysis 
of  the  exercise  and  the  steps  will  be  accurately 
marked.  The  Director  can  take  this  and  ex¬ 
plain  them  one  by  one.  He  should  remember, 
above  all,  to  make  the  explanation  exceedingly 
practical. 

It  is  well  to  urge  the  use  of  the  Three  Methods 
of  Prayer.  They  are  easier  forms  and  would  in¬ 
vite  use  when  the  more  difficult  methods  would 
be  too  hard. 

Spiritual  Reading 

We  give  below  a  list  of  books  useful  for  reading 
in  the  meetings.  These  could  be  recommended 
for  private  reading  also.  Others  could  be  added. 

The  Director  should  explain  in  what  spirit  Spir¬ 
itual  Reading  should  be  made  —  How  to  begin  — 
How  useful  it  is  to  pause  and  ponder  —  Also,  the 


109 


^obalttp  of  0nx  Habp 

thing  to  aim  at  in  this  exercise  —  What  kind  of 
books  to  select  —  How  much  time  to  devote  to  it, 
etc. 

Holy  Mass 

Many  more  Sodalists  could  hear  Mass  every 
day  than  actually  do  so,  and  of  those  who  cannot 
hear  it  every  day,  many  could  do  so  several  times 
a  week.  The  Director  should  keep  this  means  of 
sanctification  before  their  minds. 

In  the  instruction  which  he  gives  them  from 
time  to  time,  he  should  explain  to  them  various 
ways  of  hearing  Mass  —  by  prayers  for  the  various 
parts,  by  the  words  which  Holy  Mother  Church 
puts  in  the  mouth  of  her  minister,  by  one  kind  or 
another  of  mental  prayer,  especially  such  as  has 
reference  to  the  Passion  of  Our  Lord,  by  saying 
the  Beads,  or  a  portion  of  Our  Lady’s  Office,  by 
using  the  devotions  preparatory  to  Communion, 
etc. 

It  would  be  useful  to  explain  also  the  meaning 
of  the  ceremonies  and  the  symbolism  of  the  vest¬ 
ments,  the  lights,  etc. 

Again,  in  this  connection,  all  that  beautiful  part 
of  Theology  is  available  which  treats  of  the 
Blessed  Sacrament  as  Sacrifice  and  as  Sacrament. 

Another  topic  here  would  be  the  doctrine  of 
intentions. 

Another,  the  benefits  derived  for  all  eternity 
from  attendance  at  even  one  Holy  Mass. 


110 


Hje  H>obalttp  of  &uv  Habp 

Another,  the  great  impetrative  power  there  is 
in  Holy  Mass. 


Confession 

This  is  a  matter  on  which  instruction  is  never 
amiss.  The  old  as  well  as  the  young  are  glad  to 
get  it.  It  pleases  and  helps  even  those  who  have 
been  excellently  instructed  already. 

No  detail  is  too  minute  to  touch  on.  Here  are 
some  suggestions :  — 

Penance  as  a  Sacrament,  as  a  virtue  —  The 
Priest’s  part  in  the  Sacrament  —  The  essentials  of 
what  he  does  as  Minister  —  Confession  to  a  regu¬ 
lar  director. 

The  penitent’s  part  will,  naturally,  need  fuller 
treatment  —  Sin,  what  it  is  —  When  mortal,  when 
venial  —  What  one  is  obliged  to  confess,  what  is 
free  —  Advice  about  telling  the  things  that  are  free 
—  Bad  confessions,  how  to  make  them  good — Con¬ 
cealing  sins  —  Telling  lies  in  Confession  —  The 
examination  of  conscience  —  How  to  make  it  — 
Use  of  a  prayer-book  or  not  —  What  to  do  when 
in  doubt  —  Scruples. 

How  to  conduct  oneself  in  the  Confessional  — 
Formula  to  use  —  What  is  of  obligation  in  it,  what 
not  —  Asking  advice  and  having  doubts  solved  — 
How  to  tell  sins. 

Penance  and  when  to  perform  it  —  What  obli¬ 
gation  —  If  forgotten. 

How  often  to  go  to  Confession. 


®fje  gbobalttp  of  <&ux  Habp 


ill 


Holy  Communion 

The  Sacrament  —  Its  fruits  —  The  Real  Pres¬ 
ence. 

Remote  preparation :  Life  of  recollection  and 
devotedness  —  Avoidance  of  all  sin. 

Proximate  preparation :  Prayers  —  Fasting  — 
Meditation  —  Holy  Mass  —  Visit  to  the  Blessed 
Sacrament  —  Acts  of  self-denial. 

During  Holy  Mass :  Acts  —  Psalms  —  Kempis 
— Pious  Meditations — Various  methods  of  Prayer. 

How  to  approach  the  Holy  Table  :  Modesty  — 
Reverence  —  Human  respect  —  Holding  the  head 
—  Putting  out  the  tongue  —  Snapping  —  Moisten¬ 
ing  the  Sacred  Particle  in  the  mouth  and  swallow¬ 
ing. 

After  Communion :  Thanksgiving  always  and 
for  some  time  —  Prayers  to  say  —  Mentally  or 
orally  —  With  relish  —  Not  too  fast  —  Indul¬ 
gences  to  gain  —  How  —  For  whom. 

How  often  should  each  Sodalist  go  to  Holy 
Communion.  The  Director  should  make  this  point 
very  explicit.  Going  as  often  only  as  ordinary 
Catholics  do  is  not  enough.  Many  Sodalists,  no 
doubt,  remain  away  from  frequent  and  daily  Com¬ 
munion  because  they  do  not  know  the  correct 
doctrine. 

General  Confession 

The  correct  doctrine  on  the  subject  —  How 
often  to  make  —  How  to  prepare  —  Fruits. 


112 


Gftjt  ibobalttp  of  0nv  Hahp 


The  Sodalist  Virtues 

Each  one  should  be  explained  in  detail  —  Occa¬ 
sions  of  practising  them  should  be  mentioned  — 
Means  to  acquire  each  —  Sins  against  each. 

All  are  important,  but  Diligence  in  the  duties 
of  one’s  state  should  be  particularly  urged,  and 
Purity,  and  Humility. 

The  Director  should  give  abundant  illustrations 
of  all  the  five  virtues  set  down  in  General  Statutes 
and  urge  and  attract  all  the  Sodalists  to  the  prac¬ 
tice  of  them  in  the  higher  degrees,  and  for  solid 
supernatural  motives. 

In  each  Sodality,  there  will  be  certain  points 
under  these  heads  that  will  need  urging.  Let 
them  be  insisted  on  again  and  again. 

High  Aim 

In  all  these  matters  one  should,  above  all, 
impress  on  his  Sodalists  the  fact  that  they  are 
expected  to  aim  high  and  to  do  better  things  and 
for  more  exalted  motives  than  ordinary  Catholics. 

Apostolate  of  Example 

Their  example  as  Sodalists  is  to  tell  on  all  about 
them,  for  our  Blessed  Mother’s  greater  honor  and 
the  glory  of  God.  Each  Sodalist,  therefore,  should 
be  an  apostle  among  friends  and  acquaintances. 
He  should  carry  his  apostolate  into  every-day  life 
and  make  use  of  whatever  means  he  has  to  make 
others  advance  in  our  Lord’s  holy  service. 


113 


Cfje  i^obalttp  of  But  Habp 

Let  the  Director  remember  that  one  of  the  most 
precious  fruits  of  Sodality  work  has  always  been 
to  further  practical  Catholicity  by  just  this  aposto- 
late  of  word  and  example.  Let  him  not  suffer  his 
Sodality  to  fail  of  so  desirable  an  effect,  especially 
in  these  days,  when  lukewarm,  timorous  and  half¬ 
hearted  Catholics  are  so  common. 

Knowledge  of  All 

In  order  to  make  his  exhortations  and  guidance 
practical,  the  Director  must  understand  his  So- 
dalists’  dispositions,  trials,  temptations,  degree  of 
education,  condition  in  life,  surroundings,  antece¬ 
dents,  prospects,  opportunities  —  in  one  word,  he 
must  know  them  as  well  as  if  he  were  one  of 
them.  And  he  must  know  each  one  in  particular 
and  be  interested  in  each.  Only  so  can  he  hope 
to  exercise  the  influence  which  belongs  to  his 
office. 

Private  Talks 

Among  the  works  of  piety,  may  be  included  the 
Director’s  private  talks  with  the  members.  These 
give  him  the  opportunity  of  doing  a  vast  deal  for 
the  individual  soul  which  he  cannot  do  by  his 
public  appeals.  It  is  not  necessary  and,  indeed, 
it  is  usually  not  well  to  prolong  these  conversations 
to  a  great  length,  nor  is  it  possible  in  many  cases, 
but  frequent  brief  chats  must  come  into  one’s  plans. 

Let  a  time  be  set  for  it,  if  the  Director  likes,  and 

8 


114 


H>obalttp  of  €>ur  ILabv 

let  him,  at  the  time,  be  where  the  chats  will  be 
convenient  and  easy. 

On  this  subject,  the  following  story  is  in  place. 

A  celebrated  and  most  successful  religious 
superior  was  once  engaged  in  conversation  with  a 
visitor  at  the  community  dinner.  The  visitor  said : 
It  must  be  a  very  difficult  thing  to  manage  so  large 
a  number  of  different  characters  as  your  Reverence 
has  here.  The  superior  paused  a  moment  and  then 
impressively  replied :  Yes :  the  hard  thing  is  to 
make  each  one  think  he  is  the  one.  So  must  the 
Director  do,  make  each  Sodalist  feel  as  if  he  is 
interested  in  him  or  her  more  than  in  all  the  rest. 

Other  Exercises  of  Piety 

In  addition  to  what  is  set  down  in  the  Rule, 
it  may  be  well  to  suggest  a  few  other  things  re¬ 
garding  the  subject  of  this  chapter. 

Bona  Mors  Association 

It  is  very  easy  to  get  one’s  Sodalists  to  be  mem¬ 
bers  of  this  body  and  it  is  well  worth  while.  The 
Director  has  but  to  write  to  the  Father  General 
of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  as  was  mentioned  in  a 
former  chapter.  Besides  the  other  advantages, 
membership  in  the  Bona  Mors  association  would 
directly  help  the  Sodality  work  by  lending  a  zest 
to  the  Preparation  for  Death,  in  the  monthly 
Recollection. 


££>obalttp  of  <&ux  Habp 


115 


Triduums 

One  of  these  comes  by  Rule  before  the  reception 
of  members  into  the  Sodality.  Let  the  triduurh 
be  serious,  but  not  too  formal.  Silence  on  the 
last  day  would  be  good. 

Other  triduums  might  be  made  with  fruit  before 
the  chief  feasts  of  Our  Lady.  A  little  extra  de¬ 
votion  of  some  kind  —  a  visit  to  Our  Lady’s  statue, 
the  singing  of  the  Litany,  a  meditation  —  would 
do  each  day,  and  silence  would  not  be  necessary. 

Penances  for  Lent 

Some  Sodalists  make  out  a  list  of  penances  they 
propose  to  do  during  Lent  and  show  it  to  the  one 
in  charge  of  the  Sodality.  The  practice  encour¬ 
ages  self-denial  and  is  good. 

The  Director  will  need  sometimes  to  restrain  his 
Sodalists  in  this  matter,  as  they  may  easily,  out 
of  their  fervor,  be  inclined  to  exceed.  It  is  well, 
therefore,  that  he  should  have  some  control  of  the 
penances  undertaken. 

A  word  of  reminder  and  advice  about  this  holy 
practice  is  useful  and  should  be  given  before  Lent 
and  before  such  times  as  a  Retreat.  It  must 
never  become  unfashionable  for  the  devout  to 
practise  bodily  penance  and  mortification. 


Cftajrttr  x 

Cfuqjcl  atrtf  Jkltrmjtngd 


Chapel 


HE  Sodality  Chapel  should  be  its  own 
proper  possession,  if  that  can  be  man¬ 
aged,  and  should  be  used  for  nothing 
else.  This  is  quite  a  common  custom 


abroad.  We  have  seen  several  chapels  of  this 
kind  in  foreign  colleges ;  they  were  strictly  re¬ 
served  for  the  Sodalists.  The  same  is  done  in 
some  places  in  this  country,  and  in  a  certain  con¬ 
vent  in  the  East  there  is  an  oratory  into  which 
none  but  Sodalists  are  allowed  to  enter. 

One  need  not  be  told  how  great  an  impression 
this  custom  makes  on  the  Sodalists.  They  are 
reminded  by  the  very  place  of  meeting  that  they 
are  to  be  a  select  and  separate  body. 

Of  course,  not  every  Director  could  have  such  a 
separate  chapel,  but  it  might  be  possible  to  reserve 
a  chapel  or  the  church  for  the  time  of  the  Sodality 
meeting  or  Mass,  and  at  that  hour  admit  none  but 
Sodalists. 

The  meetings,  however,  do  not  always  take 
place  in  a  church  or  chapel,  nor  is  it  necessary 
that  they  should.  The  earliest  meeting-place  of 
the  First  Primary  was  a  class-room. 

Whatever  room  or  chapel  is  used  for  the  Sodal¬ 
ity  meetings  should  be  as  perfect  as  possible  in  all 


120 


fEtye  gbobalttp  of  <&uv  Habp 

details.  There  must  be  nothing  offensive  of  any 
kind  —  as  far  as  can  be,  even  taste  should  be 
fully  met.  The  meeting  place  should  be  one  that 
all  will  be  glad  to  resort  to.  The  altar,  particu¬ 
larly,  must  be  attractive  and  excellently  kept. 
Of  course  the  necessary  work  will  be  done  by 
the  Sacristans.  We  know  of  a  Sodality  chapel 
in  a  College  of  Nobles  abroad  where  the  Sacris¬ 
tans  —  both  noblemen  by  birth  —  sweep  the  floor 
and  dust,  etc.  If  circumstances  made  that  degree 
of  care  impossible,  the  Sacristans  should  at  least 
oversee  the  work.  As  to  the  altar,  they  should 
do  everything,  if  it  would  not  take  too  much 
time. 

There  should  be  an  abundance  of  altar  furni¬ 
ture,  and  all  in  first-class  order. 

The  expenses  of  the  Sodality  chapel  should  be 
borne  by  the  Sodality. 

Belongings 

Under  this  head  we  may  mention  manuals, 
medals,  ribbons,  diplomas,  and  the  like.  None 
of  these  should  be  allowed  to  get  out  of  repair. 
The  best  plan  is  for  each  one  to  have  and  keep  his 
own  articles  of  this  kind  and  to  be  required  to 
have  them  in  good  condition.  Books  with  broken 
backs,  soiled  medals,  unsightly  ribbons  —  these 
and  similar  things  should  be  allowed  no  quarter. 
If  it  is  worth  while  having  such  helps  to  devotion, 
it  is  worth  while  having  them  neat. 


121 


Cf )t  ^obalttp  of  0nt  Habp 

In  the  first  choice  of  a  manual,  a  medal,  and  a 
diploma,  the  Director  and  the  Council  should  not 
be  satisfied  with  any  but  the  best.  It  is  to  Our 
Lady’s  honor  to  have  Sodality  belongings  as  ele¬ 
gant  as  possible.  Besides,  when  a  Sodalist  has  a 
fine  thing,  he  will  feel  incited  to  care  for  it  as  he 
should. 

The  chief  danger  here  is  in  those  Sodalities 
which  own  manuals,  etc.,  as  a  body.  Almost 
without  fail,  the  articles  in  this  case  will  soon  be 
shabby.  The  reason  is  simple:  no  one  feels 
responsible. 


Cftjfjptn*  XI 
i&catg  at  iftcctmjjQ 


Fixed  Places 


FEW  years  ago,  a  Sodalist  from  the 
United  States  was  spending  a  portion 
of  his  vacation  in  Mexico.  Being  in 
a  certain  city  on  a  holy  day  of  obliga¬ 
tion  and  wishing  to  hear  Mass  at  nine  o’clock,  he 
went  to  a  neighboring  church.  He  found  it  was 
a  Sodality  Mass.  Much  objection  was  made  to 
his  entering  at  all.  He  assured  the  porter,  how¬ 
ever,  that  he  was  a  Sodalist  and  was  finally  ad¬ 
mitted,  though  not  to  the  ordinary  benches. 
These  were  reserved  for  the  members,  each  of 
whom  took  his  place  as  he  came  in. 

It  conduces  to  good  order  to  have  each  Sodalist 
assigned  a  fixed  place  in  the  chapel  or  church. 

The  seats  could  be  determined  at  the  beginning 
of  the  year.  A  neat,  printed  card  would  do  for 
the  purpose  and  would,  besides,  serve  as  a  list  of 
active  members. 

The  advantage  of  fixed  seats  is  that  it  makes 
easier  the  Secretary’s  task  of  recording  absentees 
from  meetings  and  from  General  Communions.  It 
should,  therefore,  fall  to  him  to  attend  to  the 
matter.  Without  some  such  expedient  in  a  large 
Sodality  an  accurate  account  cannot  be  kept  of 
absentees. 


126 


fEjje  ibobalttp  of  <^ur  Habp 

The  seats  might  be  distributed  so  that  each 
might  have  his  place  determined  by  the  date  of  his 
admission  to  the  Sodality.  A  certain  honor  would 
thus  accrue  to  the  older  members,  which  would 
help  for  general  Sodality  purposes. 

The  Director 

The  Director  might  take  his  position  in  the 
Sanctuary,  or  just  outside  of  the  railing,  or  at  the 
end  of  the  chapel  or  church,  according  as  he  pre¬ 
sides  or  not  at  the  meetings. 

The  Officers 

The  Officers  should  have  some  distinction  of 
place  and  be  either  in  the  front  or  at  the  rear. 
The  Prefect  and  Assistants  had  better  be  in  the 
front.  In  some  colleges,  the  Prefect  has  a  prie- 
dieu  and  chair  in  the  middle  of  the  Sanctuary ;  the 
Assistants,  prie-dieus  and  chairs  beside  the  Prefect. 
This  arrangement  is  a  good  one.  In  the  case  of 
Sodalities  of  girls  or  women,  a  correspondingly 
prominent  place  would  be  just  outside  the  altar 
railing. 

The  Secretary  will  be  best  put  at  the  back,  to 
note  absentees.  If  the  Consultors  help  in  this, 
they  could  be  distributed  so  as  to  have  each  a 
certain  number  of  seats  in  easy  view. 

If  it  is  possible  and  convenient,  there  might  be 
a  specially  honorable  chair  for  each  of  the  officers. 
The  places  they  would  occupy  by  right  of  seniority 


Gtfje  ££>obalttj>  of  0nv  Habp  127 

could  be  left  vacant  during  their  incumbency  of  an 
office. 

It  is  customary  in  some  Sodalities  to  adorn  the 
officers’  chairs  or  kneeling  benches  with  precious 
cloths  on  certain  days. 


Cftapter  XII 
ifflcettnstf 


How  Often 


original  custom  was  to  have  a  meet- 
;  of  the  Sodality  once  a  week  and, 
rides,  on  the  feasts  of  Our  Lady, 
some  places  the  custom  has  sprung 
up  of  holding  but  one  meeting  a  month.  This  is 
much  to  be  deplored.  Once  a  month  is  not  fre¬ 
quent  enough  for  all  the  good  the  Sodality  is 
expected  to  do.  If  there  is  such  a  custom  where 
one  is,  one  should  change  it  as  soon  as  one 
prudently  can  and  fall  in  line  with  ordinary  So¬ 
dalities.  Once  a  week  is  the  correct  thing.  With¬ 
out  meetings  as  often  as  that  a  Director  cannot 
keep  his  eye  on  the  spiritual  progress  of  his 
charge. 

If,  on  the  day  assigned,  it  is  not  possible  to 
have  a  meeting,  let  it  be  transferred,  if  it  can  be 
done,  to  another  day.  If  a  Director  cannot  have 
the  full  time  let  him  shorten  it,  but  not  omit  any 
regular  meeting  without  absolute  necessity.  In 
this  matter,  as  in  so  many  others,  interest  flags  when 
an  interruption  occurs.  For  the  same  reason  the 
Director  should  consider  well  before  he  suffers  his 
Sodality  to  have  no  meeting  during  the  summer 
months.  Such  a  course  too  often  necessitates 


132 


H*  ££>obaltt|>  of  <0ur  ILabp 

beginning  anew  every  year.  Even  in  schools  we 
believe  the  members  could  be  got  together  at  least 
occasionally  during  vacation.  This  is  a  matter  par¬ 
ticularly  worth  looking  into,  as  it  is  at  this  time 
of  the  year  that  most  Sodalists  need  special  help 
to  keep  up  to  their  ideals. 


The  Day  and  the  Hour 

On  what  day  should  the  meeting  be  held  ?  The 
old  custom  was  Sunday,  and  Sunday  will  be  best 
still  in  some  places.  The  hour  in  the  old  times 
was  often  just  before  Mass,  and  so  it  is  determined 
in  some  Rules.  This  hour  does  not  suit  nowa¬ 
days  in  the  majority  of  places ;  a  better  time  is 
the  afternoon  or  evening  of  Sunday,  or  the  even¬ 
ing  of  some  other  day. 

Naturally  the  one  in  charge  will  choose  a  day 
and  hour  that  is,  as  far  as  possible,  convenient 
for  all. 

We  would  make  one  suggestion  with  regard  to 
school  Sodalities;  let  it  not  be  at  a  time  when 
attendance  at  the  meeting  would  involve  loss  of 
class  or  of  study  hours.  The  Sodality  is  some¬ 
thing  extra,  and  should  not  interfere  with  the 
regular  order.  Some  members  might  object  to 
their  free  time  being  absorbed  —  but  it  is  very 
questionable  whether  the  Sodality  would  not 
be  better  off  without  them.  It  is  an  honor 
to  attend  meetings ;  some  sacrifice  ought  to  be 


133 


®fie  ^otmlttp  of  <Bux  Hahp 

expected.  Bearing  some  inconvenience  is  a  guar¬ 
antee  of  the  sincerity  of  their  love  of  Our  Blessed 
Mother. 


Regularity  In  Attendance 

The  Director  must  insist  on  constant,  regular 
attendance  and  not  permit  his  Sodalists  to  remain 
away.  If  he  is  firm  in  the  beginning,  they  will  be 
faithful  later  on  without  his  having  to  bother. 
To  bring  about  regularity  the  Secretary  must  be 
kept  to  the  task  of  recording  all  absentees,  and 
the  Director  should  see  to  them  himself  in  person. 
Let  that  be  one  of  his  weekly  duties.  Suspen¬ 
sions  and  even  expulsion  should  be  kept  before 
delinquents  as  a  possible  effect  of  absence. 

The  necessity  of  strictness  on  this  head  must  be 
evident  to  all.  Public  edification  requires  con¬ 
stant  full  attendance.  The  Director  is  more 
earnest  when  he  is  conscious  that  all  his  flock  is 
listening  to  him.  Mutual  example  is  strengthened 
—  and  so  on  ;  there  are  many  reasons  why  absence 
should  scarcely  ever  be  suffered  to  go  unremarked 
and  unreprehended.  Sometimes  a  member  will 
ask  permission  to  absent  himself.  The  answer 
should  be  given  him  which  a  certain  American 
Director  gave  to  a  like  petitioner.  Leave  ?  Why, 
no  leave  is  necessary.  You  are  not  obliged  to  be 
present.  It  is  an  honor  to  be  allowed  to  be  a 
Sodalist  at  all.  It  is  a  question  of  your  love  for 
God's  Holy  Mother. 


134  QCfje  H>obalit!>  of  <^ur  Habp 

What  is  here  said  of  attendance  at  meetings  of 
the  Sodality  applies  with  equal  force  to  that  at 
Council  meetings  and  to  the  keeping  of  all  Sodal¬ 
ity  engagements.  Dilatoriness,  tardiness,  absence, 
unwillingness  have  no  place  in  the  Sodalist’s  life 
when  there  is  a  Sodality  interest  at  stake. 


CftajJtcr  XIII 

®ftvcidtii  of  tfte  Regular  Jfteeturg; 


I.  3&eatung 


Advantages 

exercises  and  their  order  are,  of 
arse,  set  down  in  the  Ceremonial, 
they  are  the  same  as  they  have  often 
en  throughout  the  history  of  the 
Sodality,  the  meeting  begins  with  reading,  as  has 
been  said. 

The  Reader  does  not  wait  until  the  minute  as¬ 
signed  for  the  beginning  of  the  meeting.  People 
usually  straggle  in  by  ones  and  twos  and  threes. 
When  a  few  are  assembled,  the  reading  begins. 

There  are  distinct  advantages  in  having  reading 
at  this  time.  Every  one  has  remarked  the  lolling 
and  curious  study  of  their  neighbors  on  the  part 
of  early  comers  to  Mass.  There  is  nothing  to 
keep  their  attention.  The  reading  supplies  the 
need  in  the  Sodality  Meeting.  Any  Director,  who 
has  had  a  book  read  thus  at  the  beginning  of  a 
meeting  knows  that  it  is  most  attentively  listened 
to.  In  this  way  no  time  is  lost  of  the  half-hour 
or  three-quarters  spent  in  the  exercises. 

Preparation 

It  would  be  well  to  have  the  reading  prepared 
beforehand.  The  Director  could  choose  the  book 


138 


fEjje  £§>obalttp  of  <£>ur  Habp 


and  set  the  passage  some  days,  or  at  least,  long 
enough  ahead  to  give  a  chance  for  the  Reader  to 
have  gone  carefully  through  it.  A  natural  and 
easy  way  would  be  to  assign  the  matter  at  the  end 
of  a  meeting  for  the  next :  this  would  give  the 
Reader  a  whole  week. 

Whole  Books  Through,  or  Passages  Here  and 

There  ? 

Would  it  be  well  to  read  the  same  book  contin¬ 
uously  ?  If  it  is  proper  for  one’s  purpose  and  re¬ 
mains  interesting  to  the  Sodality,  —  yes ;  if  either 
of  these  conditions  is  not  fulfilled,  —  decidedly, 
no.  One  cannot  afford  to  be  losing  time  with 
what  is  read;  and  in  either  of  these  cases  one 
would  be  losing  time.  In  most  instances,  then, 
the  Director  would  find  that  it  is  not  good  to  have 
an  ascetical  book,  or  even  a  life  of  a  Saint,  read 
from  cover  to  cover.  There  are,  however,  excep¬ 
tions,  some  books  being  profitable  and  attractive 
throughout.  But  in  general,  it  is  better  to  choose 
a  distinct  passage  for  each  time,  whether  from  the 
book  used  last  time  or  from  a  new  one. 

The  passage  so  chosen  must  be  complete  in  it¬ 
self  ;  at  least,  it  must  not  presuppose  anything 
which  the  hearers  have  not  already  learned. 

There  is  no  need  of  the  interest  in  the  passage 
being  exhausted  when  the  reading  stops.  It  would 
rather  be  good  to  leave  a  taste  for  more  and  would 
incite  to  further  reading  in  private,  or  give  zest  for 


Gflfje  g^obalttp  of  <£>ur  Habp 


139 


this  exercise  next  time.  It  would  have  the  effect, 
namely,  of  the  To  be  continued  in  our  next ,  which 
often  disappointingly  interrupts  a  story,  but  is  so 
useful  to  the  publisher. 

What  Kind  of  Reading  Matter? 

What  books  to  read?  It  depends  on  the  age, 
the  education,  the  peculiar  circumstances,  of  the 
Sodalists,  and  the  one  in  charge  must  pick  and 
choose  accordingly.  Some  books  and  passages 
would  be  better  for  certain  times  in  the  year  — 
some,  for  instance,  for  the  time  just  before,  or  just 
after,  the  Annual  Retreat,  some  for  Lent,  some  for 
Advent.  Some  books  would  suit  best  the  General 
Communion  Day.  What  is  aimed  at  is,  of  course, 
the  spiritual  profit  of  the  Sodalists  then  and 
there. 

Nothing  should  be  assigned  by  the  Director  to 
be  read  until  he  has  read  it  himself.  And  he 
should  not  hesitate  to  cut  the  text,  that  is,  mark 
out  phrases,  or  lines,  or  pages  that  would  not  suit. 
It  is  easy  afterwards  to  erase  such  marks  if  they 
are  made  with  a  pencil. 

It  would  be  well  to  keep  a  record  of  passages 
read,  and  of  the  impression  they  made ;  they  could 
be  used  again  later. 


How  long  ? 

The  Reader  goes  on  until  the  Director  gives  the 
sign  to  discontinue.  This  can  be  done  by  the  Di- 


140 


Wfje  £§>obalttp  of  <£>ur  Habp 

rector’s  rising,  or  by  his  taking  his  usual  place,  or 
by  his  having  put  a  mark  to  be  reached  in  the 
book  or  having  set  a  time  to  be  filled  out. 

It  will  be  found  well  to  have  generally  about 
ten  minutes  of  reading.  That  amount  will  not 
tire,  and  if  the  book  and  passage  are  well  chosen, 
it  will  be  listened  to  that  long  with  avidity. 


What  Books  ? 

Naturally,  the  most  important  book  to  read  from 
is  the  Manual ,  if  it  is  a  good  one.  There  are 
three  parts  of  this  to  read.  The  first  is  the  Rules, 
These  must  be  read  several  times  a  year,  if  it  is  ex¬ 
pected  that  the  members  will  make  use  of  them 
for  their  lives,  as  they  ought. 

Some  prefer  to  spend  the  whole  of  the  reading 
time  of  some  meeting  on  the  Rules  and  finish  at 
one  sitting.  Perhaps,  it  would  be  better  —  as  it 
would  make  more  impression  —  to  read  a  portion 
at  several  meetings,  say  one  fourth  of  the  whole, 
or,  perhaps  better  still,  a  part  of  them  each  time. 
Any  of  these  ways  would  reach  the  end  aimed  at. 

Next  to  the  Rules,  the  most  important  matter 
in  the  Manual  are  the  Instructions.  If  the  one  in 
charge  purposes  giving  an  explanation  of  some 
point  in  the  Sodalist’s  life,  it  would  be  an  excellent 
preparation  to  have  the  part  of  the  Manual  read 
beforehand  which  treats  of  the  subject.  The  Di¬ 
rector  could  then  use  the  Instruction  for  his  text. 
This  would  be  a  good  plan  in  other  books  also. 


141 


fEf )t  ^obalttp  of  £>ur  Ha&p 

After  the  Rules  and  Instructions,  it  would  be 
well  to  have  the  part  on  the  History  and  the 
Nature  of  the  Sodality ,  its  Indulgences ,  etc., 
read. 

Next  to  the  Manual,  the  best  book  for  reading 
is  “  Kempis  on  the  Imitation  of  Christ.”  Perhaps 
one  would  find  it  well  to  do  as  a  certain  Director 
used  to  do,  and  have  a  chapter,  or  a  portion  of  a 
chapter,  read  at  each  meeting,  either  before  the 
other  reading,  or,  better,  at  the  end  of  it. 

We  would  recommend  particularly  the  edition 
which  copies  the  rhythm  of  the  original.  This 
must  not,  however,  be  confused  with  a  non- 
Catholic  translation  of  the  same  kind. 

“  Kempis  ”  should  be  read  slowly  and  time  be 
given  for  spiritual  relish  of  the  food  he  affords. 

Here  is  a  list  of  some  other  books  which  would 
help  one  to  choose  profitable  and  interesting  read¬ 
ing,  should  one’s  own  stock  run  out. 

The  Holy  Bible  :  Gospels  —  Epistles  —  Old  Tes¬ 
tament. 

Especially  in  the  parts  that  are  narrative. 

The  Bible  could  be  read  in  the  plain  text,  or  in  a  Har¬ 
mony  combining  the  texts  of  various  sacred  authors. 

Rodriguez  —  “  Christian  Perfection.” 

The  usual  reading  book  of  the  devout,  whether  reli¬ 
gious  or  people  in  the  world.  Solid  in  doctrine,  inter¬ 
esting  in  illustration.  Kodriguez  drank  deep  at  the 
fountain  of  the  Fathers  of  the  Church  and  the  great 
ascetical  writers  who  preceded  him.  A  new  and  im¬ 
proved  edition  of  this  masterpiece  will  shortly  be 
available. 


142 


W be  ££>obalttp  of  (£>ur  Xabp 

Mother  Loyola —  “  First  Communion/’  —  “  Child 
of  God  ” ;  “  Coram  Sanctissimo,”  “  Hail  Full  of 
Grace”  ;  “ Welcome”  ;  “ Holy  Communion  ”  ;  “ Con¬ 
fession  and  Communion  ” ;  “  Forgive  us  Our  Tres¬ 
passes  ”  ;  “  Soldier  of  Christ.” 

All  the  books  of  Mother  Loyola  are  precious  for 
Sodality  reading.  They  are  easy  to  follow,  propose  a 
high  grade  of  spirituality,  and  are  most  entertaining. 
They  please  the  old  and  the  young  alike. 

Scupoli —  “  Spiritual  Combat.” 

A  book  very  dear  to  St.  Francis  de  Sales,  our  fellow 
Sodalist. 

St.  Francis  de  Sales  —  “  Devout  Life  ”  ;  “  Love  of 
God  ” ;  “  Letters  to  People  in  the  World.” 

These  books  have  a  charm  all  their  own :  St.  Francis 
de  Sales  is  so  practical  and  so  full  of  unction  and  so 
moderate.  His  illustrations  are  drawn  from  the  most 
ordinary  things  and  are  very  apt.  He  is  particularly 
fond  of  nature.  St.  Francis  de  Sales,  it  will  be  remem¬ 
bered,  is  a  Doctor  of  the  Church. 

Garesche  —  “  Little  Imperfections.” 

Boudreaux  —  “  God  our  Father  ”  ;  “  Happiness  of 
Heaven.” 

Two  most  consoling  and  instructive  books. 

De  Lehen  —  “  Way  of  Interior  Peace.” 

Faber  —  “  Spiritual  Conferences  ”  ;  “  Blessed  Sac¬ 
rament  ”  ;  “  Creator  and  Creature  ”  ;  “  Growth  in 
Holiness”;  “Bethlehem”;  “  All  for  Jesus  ” ;  “Pre¬ 
cious  Blood.”  “  May  Readings  from  Father  Faber.” 

Father  Faber’s  books  are  written  mostly  in  an  effect¬ 
ive  style  that  is  very  taking. 

Not  every  page  in  these  volumes  could  be  understood 
when  read  in  public,  being  too  deeply  theological. 
There  are,  however,  plenty  of  passages  of  sufficient 
length  to  make  excellent  reading  for  the  Sodality. 


143 


tEj )t  i£>obalitp  of  0nv  Hahp 

Grou — “  Interior  of  Jesus  and  Mary.” 

Gallwey  —  “Watches  of  the  Passion.” 

Gueranger —  “Liturgical  Year.” 

Contains  many  beautiful  and  instructive  passages, 
peculiarly  fitted  for  special  times  in  the  year. 

Doyle  —  “  Lectures  to  Boys.” 

Excellent  short  moral  talks  adapted  to  college  boys. 
The  change  of  a  word  here  and  there  would  make  them 
do  perfectly  for  convent  girls  as  well. 

Newman  —  “  Present  Position.” 

Select  portions  would  be  useful  for  giving  a  clear 
idea  of  Protestantism,  as  seen  by  one  that  knew  it 
thoroughly. 

Damanet  —  “Choice  of  a  State  of  Life.” 

This  is  the  standard  authority  on  the  subject,  being 
replete  with  the  wisdom  of  the  Fathers  and  the  Theo¬ 
logians  of  the  Church. 

Rossignoli  —  “  Choice  of  a  State  of  Life.” 
Roothaan  —  “  Meditation.” 

Egger  —  “  The  Devout  Guide  for  Catholics  in 
Service.” 

Lasance —  “The  Catholic  Girl’s  Guide.” 

Madame  Cecilia  —  “  Home  Truths  for  Mary’s 
Children  ”  ;  “  More  Home  Truths  ”  ;  “  Short  Spirit¬ 
ual  Readings.” 

“Mary  the  Queen.” 

Lucas  —  “  In  the  Morning  of  Life.” 

A  book  of  talks  to  college  boys. 

“  History  of  the  Sodalities  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary.” 

St.  Bonaventure  —  “  Life  of  Christ.” 

St.  Augustine  —  “  Confessions.” 

Full  of  most  interesting  passages. 


144 


tBfje  £>oMitp  of  (But  liabp 

“  Lives  of  the  Saints.” 

It  would  be  well  to  read  in  the  meetings  something  of 
the  life  of  each  Sodality  Saint  as  his  feast  comes  in  the 
year. 

Coleridge,  or  Bartoli  —  “  St.  Francis  Xavier.” 

“  Autobiography  of  St.  Teresa.” 

Goldie  —  “  St.  Stanislas  ”  ;  “  St.  Berchmans.” 
Ornsby,  or  de  Margerie  —  “  St.  Francis  de  Sales.” 
Thompson  —  “  St.  Charles  Borromeo.” 

Genelli,  or  Bartoli  —  "  St.  Ignatius  Loyola.” 
Monnin  —  “  Cur6  of  Ars.” 

“  Maidens  of  Hallowed  Names.” 

Tickell  —  “  Blessed  Margaret  Mary.” 

Coetlosquet  —  “  Theodore  Wibaux.” 

Daniel  —  “  Alexis  Clerc.” 

O’Meara  —  “  Ozanam.” 

Pious  Accounts  of  Catholic  Missions. 

Pious  Articles  from  Catholic  Magazines. 


n.  3|nbocatton  of  tlje  Bjolg  ©fiofit 

Its  Place  and  Purpose 

This,  like  the  Reading,  is  an  ancient  custonl 
of  the  Sodality. 

In  some  Sodalities  the  Invocation  comes  before 
the  Reading.  It  is  better,  however,  to  put  it  here 
in  order  to  make  use  of  the  Reading,  according 
to  the  more  ancient  usage,  to  entertain  the  mem- 
»  bers  immediately  on  their  arrival. 

It  would  take  too  long  to  recite  or  sing  the 
entire  Veni  Creator;  two  stanzas  are  sufficient. 


145 


Cfje  g>obalttp  of  <0ur  Habp 

They  can  be  sung  —  as  a  solo,  or  as  a  chorus  —  or 
they  can  be  recited  alternately.  Whichever  plan 
is  adopted,  the  hymn,  verse,  and  prayer  should  be 
made  impressive. 

The  purpose  of  the  Invocation  is  to  beg  the 
grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit  for  the  proper  and  fruit¬ 
ful  saying  of  the  Office  of  Our  Lady  and  for  the 
fruitfulness  of  the  instruction  which  is  to  follow  it. 
Without  that  grace,  neither  can  be  rightly  done. 
Let  us,  then,  make  our  prayer  for  it  humble  and 
earnest  and  devout. 


hi.  Office 

Which  of  the  Offices? 

After  the  Invocation  of  the  Holy  Ghost  comes 
the  Office. 

And  first  of  all,  which  Office  should  be  said  ? 

There  is  no  need  of  saying  the  same  always. 

For  ordinary  occasions  one  would  probably 
prefer  the  Little  Office  of  the  Immaculate  Con¬ 
ception ;  this  because  of  a  devotion  which  is  so 
dear  to  us  on  this  side  of  the  water  —  and,  indeed, 
throughout  the  world  —  and  because  of  the  beauty 
of  the  Office  itself. 

During  November,  a  part  of  the  Office  of  the 
Dead  would  naturally  be  recited  at  all  the  meet¬ 
ings.  The  Lauds  would  probably  be  preferred. 

The  choice  rests  with  the  one  in  charge  as  to 

10 


146  Cfje  ££>obalttp  of  <!£ur  Hafcp 

this  and  as  to  all  other  devotions  of  the  regular 
meetings. 

Directions  for  Saying 

The  Office  should  be  made  a  real  prayer.  Hence, 
let  it  not  be  read  too  rapidly.  Neither,  on  the 
other  hand,  must  it  drag.  Just  how  rapidly  it 
should  be  gone  through  depends  partly  on  the  age 
and  tastes  of  the  Sodality.  Older  people  would 
like  to  linger  somewhat  and  relish  the  exceedingly 
devotional  words. 

On  feast  days  the  Director  might  find  it  helpful 
to  have  portions  of  the  Office  sung.  This  could 
be  done  at  ordinary  meetings,  too,  if  one  wished. 
Congregational  singing  would  usually  suit  better 
than  solos,  or  even  choir  singing. 

Needless  to  add,  music,  if  used,  should  always 
be  strictly  ecclesiastical. 

A  certain  amount  of  singing  is  liked  by  Sodal- 
ists  of  all  kinds  ;  a  taste  which  the  Director  will 
do  well  to  utilize.  Let  him  see  to  it  that  wherever 
any  portion  is  sung,  it  is  excellently  rendered. 

What  may  be  Substituted 

In  place  of  the  Office  the  Beads  might  be  said. 
There  is  a  sort  of  chant  for  this  which  is  very 
pleasing,  and  may  be  used  if  circumstances  are 
propitious. 

Another  substitute  for  the  Office  could  be  the 
Litany  of  Loretto ,  sung  or  recited. 


147 


fEfje  H>obalitp  of  0nt  Habp 

On  the  day  on  which  the  Monthly  Patrons  are 
distributed  —  where  that  custom  exists  —  the 
Litany  of  the  Saints  is  said  or  sung,  in  many 
Sodalities. 

Another  substitute  for  the  Office  at  regular  meet¬ 
ings  would  be  a  pious  meditation ,  given,  for  in¬ 
stance,  by  the  Director  and  made  by  the  members. 
The  Director  could  give  points ,  then  leave  the 
Sodalists  to  their  own  thoughts,  or  he  could  make 
the  meditation  with  them,  speaking  very  slowly. 


iv.  Conference 

Who  is  to  Give  It  ? 

This  is  the  part  of  the  meeting  in  which  the 
Director’s  chief  work  is  done  —  and  exceedingly 
important  work  it  is. 

The  Director  himself  —  or  the  Directress,  where 
a  nun  is  the  actual  manager  —  will  ordinarily  give 
the  Conference.  It  is  customary,  however,  in 
some  Sodalities  to  invite  an  outsider  —  a  Bishop 
or  a  priest  —  to  address  the  body.  On  state  oc¬ 
casions,  this  is  well  —  occasionally .  Perhaps  even 
members  of  the  Sodality  might  be  used  in  this 
way  sometimes. 

The  Director’s  Position 

First  of  all,  then,  what  position  shall  the  speaker 
take?  Of  course,  he  will  be  where  all  can  see 
him,  and  where  he  can  see  all.  It  goes  without 


148 


W&t  ibobalitp  of  (^ur  Habp 

saying  that  the  Sodalists  should  be  accustomed  to 
keep  their  eyes  on  the  one  addressing  them.  It 
is  the  natural  way  of  listening  to  a  speaker,  and 
makes  considerably  for  attention. 

Some  prefer  to  take  a  standing  position,  when 
talking  to  their  Sodality.  But  there  is  much  in 
favor  of  being  seated .  It  gives  the  talk  a  less 
formal  appearance,  and  renders  it  less  of  a  sermon. 


Style  of  Conference 

The  one  in  charge  will  make  much  more 
impression,  and  do  infinitely  more  good,  if  his 
addresses  to  the  Sodalists  are  direct  and  simple. 
Let  him  speak  to  them  in  the  second  person,  and 
let  him  not  mind  about  fancy  periods  and  recon¬ 
dite  or  brilliant  ideas. 

Here,  he  is  aiming  at  improving  souls,  not  at 
displaying  oratorical  or  intellectual  powers.  He 
understands  the  souls  of  the  people  before  him  and 
is  keenly  alive  to  their  interests:  it  is  for  their 
good  he  is  speaking,  not  for  his  own  glory.  Plain 
talking  will  tell  more  for  the  purpose  than  any 
amount  of  rhetorical  flourish.  Everybody  is  sharp 
enough  to  see  through  an  attempt  at  self-exhibition 
and  is  prompt  in  despising  it. 

Some  Points  to  Attend  to 

It  is  well  to  note  particularly  the  following 
points :  — 


149 


££>obalttp  of  0uv  Habp 

One  must  not  beat  the  air .  Discourses  on  the 
loveliness  of  some  virtue  may  be  fine  literature, 
but  they  are  not  apostolic.  The  matter  must  come 
home  to  the  hearers  and  be  of  use  to  them  and 
practical  here  and  now.  The  one  in  charge  finds 
such  and  such  a  Sodality  virtue  wanting  in  them ; 
let  him  urge  that.  A  custom  is  growing  up  among 
a  number  of  too  frequently  going  to  the  theatre ; 
let  him  condemn  that.  Some,  he  hears,  are  neg¬ 
lecting  the  Sacraments  —  and  so  on,  according  to 
circumstances. 

What  he  says  must  be  said  for  all  present  He 
must  not  be  content  with  helping  two  or  three  of 
the  more  advanced.  It  is  better  to  talk  to  them 
privately  if  there  is  any  topic  particularly  needful 
for  them.  Neither,  on  the  other  hand,  must  he 
make  the  mistake  of  reprehending  all  for  what  a 
few  have  done. 

Let  him  talk  simply .  If  the  one  in  charge  has 
a  literary  turn,  let  him  use  it,  but  let  the  style 
always  be  simple,  and  always  as  clear  as  crystal. 
It  should  be  impossible  for  any  one  to  misunder¬ 
stand  and  not  to  catch  the  meaning. 

He  should  use  illustrations.  They  can  be  taken 
from  the  every-day  life  of  the  Sodalists.  In  col¬ 
lege,  athletic  games  and  class  allusions;  in  con¬ 
vent,  studies,  dress  and  female  employments ;  in 
men’s  Sodalities,  business  life,  political  happen¬ 
ings;  in  Sodalities  of  grown  women,  household 
matters,  and  other  subjects  of  their  conversation. 


150 


Wyt  iktoalttp  of  0nv  Hatrp 

Perhaps,  the  one  in  charge  could  sometimes 
give  a  spiritual  talk  illustrated  with  stereopticon 
views,  of  Rome,  the  Holy  Land,  Fabiola,  some 
great  Cathedral.  Lantern  slides  can  be  got  now¬ 
adays  for  almost  any  topic,  and  they  make  a  talk 
immensely  more  effective.  We  knew  a  Master  of 
Novices  in  a  religious  Order  in  Ireland  who  taught 
his  novices  their  History,  Geography,  and  even 
Catechism  in  this  way,  and  with  marked  success. 

A  continuous  course  of  instructions  on  one  sub¬ 
ject  is  not  needed  —  and  is  often  not  profitable. 
Indeed,  curiosity  may  sometimes  be  enlisted  by 
leaving  it  uncertain  what  will  be  spoken  of  next, 
or  the  Director  could  break  off  in  the  midst  of 
something  that  he  sees  is  interesting,  and  so  make 
use  of  the  To  be  continued  in  our  next  device. 

Previous  reading  by  the  Sodalists  on  the  matter 
of  the  Conference  helps  sometimes.  For  that,  it 
would  be  necessary  to  give  notice  what  the  sub¬ 
ject  will  be,  and  it  would  help  to  indicate  portions 
of  the  Manual,  or  of  some  other  book,  where  the 
subject  is  treated. 

Let  the  tone  be  always  cheery  and  encouraging . 
The  Sodalists  are  what  they  are  of  their  own  good 
will  —  grace,  of  course,  assisting.  It  is  not  well  to 
exasperate  those  whose  working  upward  is  volun¬ 
tary  ;  rather,  one  should  help  them  on  by  kindness, 
and  by  showing  them  yet  better,  surer,  and  more 
rapid  ways  of  advancing  in  perfection,  and  honor¬ 
ing  Our  Lady.  “A  drop  of  honey,”  said  our  Sodal- 


151 


££>obalttp  of  <^ur  Habp 

ist  brother,  St.  Francis  de  Sales,  “  does  more  good 
than  a  barrel  of  vinegar.”  It  is  a  principle  well 
worth  keeping  always  in  mind,  and  should  make 
the  Director  always  and  everywhere  kind  and  dis¬ 
posed  to  work  with  the  good,  as  the  poet  says,  rather 
than  rail  at  the  ill.  This,  however,  does  not  ex¬ 
clude  proper  reprehension  in  a  spirit  and  tone  of 
kindness. 

The  Director  should  very  seldom  or  never  address 
an  individual  in  a  public  meeting.  If  he  praises 
one  the  rest  will  usually  not  like  it.  If  he  blames 
one  all  will  be  offended — unless,  in  extraordinary 
cases,  it  becomes  necessary  to  dismiss  somebody 
from  among  the  Sodalists.  If  the  Director  finds 
it  necessary  to  do  this  in  public,  let  him  do  it 
regretfully  and  with  the  hope  that  the  person  will 
repent  and  lead  a  good  life,  and  return  to  Our 
Blessed  Mother’s  favor. 

How  to  Prepare 

Do  I  need  to  write  my  conference  out  in  full  ? 
No ;  besides,  you  would  often  not  have  time  to 
learn  it  by  heart,  or,  indeed,  even  to  write  it  out 
in  full.  Even  if  you  had  time,  it  would  be  better 
not  to  do  it ;  the  chances  are  it  would  make  your 
talk  too  formal. 

Here  would  be  an  excellent  way  for  the  Director 
to  work  up  his  Conference.  He  decides  on  his 
subject ;  he  gets  some  book  or  passage  to  read  on 
it ;  he  reads  that  carefully  and  thoughtfully.  If 


152 


Wqt  gbobalttp  of  €>ur  Habp 

lie  has  time  to  read  several  passages,  so  much  the 
better.  Then  he  sits  down  quietly,  pen  in  hand, 
and  thinks.  As  he  thinks  he  jots  down  notes. 
He  arranges  these ;  and  he  has  his  matter  pre¬ 
pared.  J ust  before  he  gives  his  talk,  he  rehearses 
the  whole  in  his  mind  quietly,  and  prays  over  it. 
He  talks  it  over  with  Our  Lady.  Let  him  remem¬ 
ber  to  pray  ;  that  is  by  all  odds  the  most  essential 
thing  in  the  preparation.  The  work  is  eminently 
supernatural  and  cannot  be  done  without  grace. 
Grace  comes  by  prayer.  Let  the  Director  medi¬ 
tate,  then,  before  God  on  his  Conference,  and  beg 
His  assistance  and  Our  Blessed  Lady’s  blessing. 
Let  him  remind  her  it  is  for  her  he  is  going  to 
speak.  His  preparation  made  in  this  way,  he 
goes  and  speaks  out  of  the  fulness  of  his  heart, 
and  he  may  be  sure  that  his  words  will  touch  and 
inspire. 

Many  find  it  useful  or  even  needful  to  have 
notes  with  them.  If  one  is  seated  at  a  table, 
there  is  nothing  to  hinder  one’s  using  such  notes 
to  help  the  memory.  But  one  must  never  read 
them  continuously  if  he  wishes  to  keep  the  audi¬ 
ence  interested  and  to  benefit  them. 

Some  Subjects  for  Conference 

A  Director  of  a  Sodality  of  large  boys  used  to 
ask  his  Council,  every  now  and  then,  on  what 
subject  to  address  the  Sodality  It  was  a  good 
thing  to  do.  Their  answers  gave  an  insight  into 


153 


Qtty  gjoimlitp  of  <0ur  Habp 

the  common  needs  and  temptations  of  his  audience. 
Besides,  the  plan  made  the  boys  feel  particularly 
interested  in  all  the  Sodality  work. 

It  is  well  to  remark  that  too  frequent  instruc¬ 
tions  on  our  Blessed  Mother  pall  on  certain 
classes  of  Sodalists.  They  look  for  something 
more  practical.  We  know  of  one  Director  who 
found  it  good  to  confine  his  instructions  on  Our 
Lady  to  the  eves  of  her  feasts  and  the  month  of 
May. 

A  great  Sodality  of  our  day,  following  the 
precedent  set  long  before,  has  an  officer  appointed 
to  read  out  the  feasts  and  announce  the  fasts  and 
the  Sodality  events  of  the  near  future,  including 
the  Indulgences  that  can  be  gained.  Perhaps  it 
would  be  well  to  do  this  oneself  at  the  beginning 
or  the  end  of  the  Conference. 

The  following  list  may  suggest  matter  and 
sources  for  talks.  The  one  in  charge  must  not 
forget,  though,  that,  whatever  his  subject  is,  he 
must  adapt  it  to  his  audience.  Cut  and  dry  ser¬ 
mons,  especially  if  written  by  another,  will  not 
do  at  all. 

The  Rules. 

These  form  unquestionably  the  most  important  topic  of 
conference.  One  could  easily  spend  several  years  on  them 
alone,  and  the  profit  would  be  great.  Every  item  —  we  had 
almost  said  every  word  —  should  be  explained  and  insisted  on, 
again  and  again.  It  is  in  them  that  the  true  idea  of  a  Sodal¬ 
ity,  its  means  of  sanctifying  the  members  and  advancing  Our 
Blessed  Mother’s  honor,  are  set  forth. 


154 


®fje  £S>otralttp  o!  0m  Habp 

As  to  the  Rules  and  as  to  many  of  the  points  mentioned 
below,  the  Director  can  get  help  from  Schouppe,  “  Sodality 
Director’s  Manual/’  and  Dahlman,  “  Outline  Conferences.” 

Our  Blessed  Mother. 

Invocations  of  the  Litany  of  Loretto  —  Ave  Maria  Stella  — 
Salve  Regina  —  Psalms  of  Our  Lady’s  Offices  —  Little  Office 
of  Our  Lady  Immaculate. 

See  St.  Alphonsus  Liguori  —  “  Glories  of  Mary  ”  ;  Blessed 
de  Montfort  —  “  True  Devotion  to  the  Blessed  Virgin  ” ;  Cole¬ 
ridge  —  “  The  Mother  of  the  King  ”  ;  Meschler  —  “  Our  Lady’s 
Garden  of  Roses  ” ;  Lescher  —  “  Rosary  ”  ;  Denis  —  “  Salve 
Regina  ” ;  Coleridge  —  “  The  Mother  of  the  Church,”  cc,  I,  2, 
7 ;  Nortlicote  —  “  Mary  in  the  Gospels.” 

The  Manual. 

Its  parts  —  How  to  use  it. 

The  Office. 

Its  History  —  How  to  say  it  profitably. 

Meditation. 

A  good  Manual  explained ;  see  also  Schouppe  —  “  Easy 
Method  of  Meditation  ” ;  Roothaan  —  “  Meditation.” 

The  Examens. 

The  Manual  explained. 

The  Sodality  Virtues. 

The  Manual. 

Confession. 

Much  instruction  on  this  topic  will  be  useful.  Once  a  year 
would  not  be  too  often  to  give  several  talks  on  it.  One  must 
go  into  the  most  ordinary  details.  A  large  catechism  like 
Deharbe’s  or  Wilmer’s,  or  that  of  the  Christian  Brothers,  or 
Segur  on  Confession,  will  aid  one. 

Frequent  Communion. 

Why  —  How  often  —  Advantages  —  Mistakes.  See  the  in¬ 
struction  in  any  good  Manual  and  Segur,  “Holy  Commun¬ 
ion”  and  Coube,  “  Great  Supper  of  God,”  and  that  excellent 
book,  “  Let  us  go  to  the  Holy  Table.” 


155 


££>otralttp  of  0nx  Habp 

The  Duties  of  one's  State  of  Life  —  Perfection  in 
each  action  —  Study  —  Household  duties  —  Labor 
at  a  trade  or  in  business  —  How  to  regard 
employees. 

The  Predominant  Passion. 

The  Spirit  of  Independence. 

A  very  important  topic  nowadays  and  in  this  country. 

Obedience. 

Purity  of  Intention  —  Presence  of  God,  Interior 
Recollection  —  Motives  —  Human  Respect — Life 
of  Faith. 

High  Aims  in  Life  —  Love  of  God,  and  duty  as 
a  main  motive  —  Being  better  than  ordinary  Cath¬ 
olics. 

These  are  things  one  must  often  dwell  on. 

Vocation. 

See  The  Manual  and  Damanet. 

How  to  mortify  oneself — Self  control  for  God’s 
sake  —  Self-Denial  —  Motives  for  it. 

See  Rodriguez,  “  Mortification.” 

Spiritual  Communion 

See  St.  Alphonsus  Liguori. 

Indifferentism  —  Out  of  the  Church  no  salva¬ 
tion  —  Participation  in  non-Catholic  services. 

Exceedingly  important. 

Vows. 

See  Rodriguez. 

Pious  Life  in  the  World. 

See  St.  Francis  de  Sales,  “  Devout  Life.” 

The  Souls  in  Purgatory  —  How  to  aid  them. 


156 


Hje  i^obalitp  of  (0ur  Habp 

Devotion  to  the  Saints  —  the  Patron  Saint  — 
the  Sodality  Saints. 

How  to  be  devout 

Not  a  matter  of  sentiment,  but  rather  of  act. 
Marriage . 

A  most  necessary  topic  nowadays.  One  should  ex¬ 
plain  the  Sacrament,  and  its  holiness,  how  to  choose  a 
partner  —  He  should  dwell  on  the  indissolubility. 

See  Monsabre,  “  Marriage.” 

Baptism. 

Duties  of  parents.  How  to  baptize  in  danger  of 
death. 

The  Commandments . 

The  Deadly  Sins. 

Dangers  ahead  of  the  Sodalist. 

Sacred  Pictures  —  How  to  use. 

Lies. 

Venial  Sins. 

Sacramentals  —  Holy  water. 

Conduct  as  to  meals. 

Visits  to  friends. 

Visits  to  the  Blessed  Sacrament 


See  St.  Alphonsus  Liguori. 

Regularity  and  Orderliness. 
Neatness. 

Habits  of  Evil  —  How  to  overcome. 
Habits  of  Good  —  How  to  form. 
Bad  Companions  —  Bad  Example. 
Charity  — Kindness. 


See  Faber,  “  Conferences.” 


Wqt  ihobalitp  of  <£>ur  Habp 


157 


Scruples. 

See  Faber,  “  Conference.” 

Almsgiving. 

See  Spiritual  Exercises  of  St.  Ignatius. 

Temptation  —  Despondency. 

See  Michel. 

Feast  of  the  Day. 

Brief  Life  of  the  Saint,  or  explanation  of  the  Mys¬ 
tery. 

Passage  from  a  Saint’s  life ,  especially  of  a  So¬ 
dality  Saint  or  of  those  of  the  condition  in  life  of 
the  Sodalists. 

Explanation  of  the  Creed. 

Passages  from  Scripture  containing  a  Story. 

See  A  Lapide’s  “  Commentary  ”  or  Maas,  “  Life  of 
Christ.” 

Parables. 

Gospel  of  Day. 

The  Exercises  of  the  Regular  Meeting. 


v.  jftnal  pra^o# 

Notes 

In  many  Ceremonials,  after  the  Conference 
come  certain  prayers  for  the  Sodality,  for  the 
souls  of  the  faithful  departed,  for  sick  members, 
etc.  These  prayers  form  a  good  ending  for  the 
meeting. 

The  prayer  for  a  sick  Sodalist  will,  of  course, 
not  be  said  unless  there  is  some  one  seriously 


158  Cf )t  H>obalttp  of  0nt  Habp 

ill.  The  first  name  should  be  inserted  in  the 
prayer. 

Final  Invocation.  The  little  invocation  to  Our 
Lady  which  comes  at  the  end  of  the  meeting 
in  some  ceremonials  and  of  all  the  exercises  in 
common :  — 

Mary ,  with  her  loving  Son, 

Bless  us  each  and  every  one  ! 

is  a  very  ancient  one  in  the  Sodality,  and  should 
be  dear  to  every  Sodalist. 

The  Director  will  not  forget  that  he  is  free  to 
vary  these  final  prayers. 

In  some  Sodalities  the  Litany  of  Loretto  is  re¬ 
cited  at  this  place ;  in  others  prayers  are  said,  at 
least  occasionally,  other  than  the  ones  found  in 
the  Ceremonial. 


Cftaptn-  XIV 
Cite  ^acrammW 


Recalcitrants 


ITHOUT  question,  the  most  important 
duty  of  the  one  in  charge  of  a  Sodality 
is  to  bring  it  about  that  every  mem¬ 
ber  shall  go  often  to  the  Sacraments. 
There  should,  indeed,  be  no  need  of  urging,  but 
human  nature  is  perverse,  and  so  there  are  Sodalists 
who  are  most  unwilling  to  be  expelled  or  to  leave 
of  their  own  accord  and  yet  are  hard  to  keep 
regular  about  the  Sacraments.  Thank  God  there 
are  few  such,  but  there  are  always  some.  The 
question  is,  how  to  behave  towards  these  recal¬ 
citrants. 

It  will  not  do  to  force  them ;  that  might  lead 
to  unworthy  reception  of  the  Sacraments,  which 
would  send  souls  to  destruction  rather  than  lead 
them,  as  we  desire,  to  greater  perfection.  The 
Director  should,  therefore,  talk  kindly  to  them, 
represent  to  them  their  obligations  as  Sodalists, 
dwell  on  the  bad  example  they  are  giving,  say 
how  unworthy  of  a  child  of  Mary  such  conduct 
is,  show  the  advantages  of  regular  and  frequent 
Communion,  find  out  and  answer  the  reasons  that 
deter  them  from  it.  The  Director  could  show 
himself  willing  to  do  what  he  can  to  remove  any 

obstacles  that  may  occur.  These  and  many  other 

11 


162 


Gftje  i£>obalttp  of  0nv  Xabp 


ways  of  helping  souls  to  this  most  salutary  practice 
will  easily  suggest  themselves  to  any  one  really 
interested  in  the  work. 

How  often  should  Sodalists  go  to  Communion  ? 

Each  Sodalist  will  ask  his  Confessor’s  advice, 
but  all  should  know  the  mind  of  Holy  Mother 
Church  on  the  subject.  This  mind  has  been  made 
exceedingly  clear  by  our  Holy  Father  Pius  X.  in 
a  decree  approved  by  him  Dec.  17,  1905.  It 
treats  of  the  dispositions  requisite  for  frequent 
and  daily  Communion.  We  give  portions  of  the 
document,  which  is  definitive. 

Frequent  and  daily  Communion  is  to  be  allowed 
to  all  the  faithful  of  whatever  class  or  condition 
in  life ,  as  a  thing  earnestly  desired  by  Christ  our 
Lord  and  by  the  Catholic  Church.  None  can  be 
prohibited  from  the  Holy  Table  that  approach  in 
the  state  of  grace  and  with  a  right  and  pious 
intention. 

The  only  condition  necessary  for  frequent  and 
daily  Communion  is  freedom  from  mortal  sin  and 
the  purpose  never  to  sin  again. 

The  Confessor  is  to  be  careful  not  to  turn  any 
one  from  frequent  and  daily  Communion  who  is 
in  the  state  of  grace  and  approaches  with  a  right 
intention. 

Pastors ,  Confessors,  and  Preachers,  according 
to  the  approved  doctrine  of  the  Roman  Catechism , 
are  to  exhort  the  Christian  people  with  frequent 


GTfje  gpobali'tp  of  (Dur  Habp  163 

words  and  much  zeal  to  so  pious  and  wholesome  a 
practice. 

This  is  surely  explicit  enough.  It  only  remains 
to  apply  it  to  Sodalists  in  particular. 

As  to  them,  the  wish  of  Holy  Mother  Church  is 
more  pronounced.  Not  only  are  they  free  from 
mortal  sin  and  have  a  right  intention,  they  are 
the  fervent  members  of  Christ’s  flock.  To  them, 
therefore,  is  the  invitation  to  daily  Communion 
stronger  and  more  pressing. 

It  is  the  Director’s  duty,  according  to  the  above 
decree,  to  exhort  his  Sodalists  often  and  earnestly 
to  make  frequent  and  daily  use  of  the  Bread  of 
Angels.  Let  him  fulfil  the  duty  cheerfully  and 
urge  in  season  and  out  of  season  all  that  hear 
him  not  to  be  content  with  the  Communions  of 
rule,  but  to  go,  as  far  as  possible,  every  day  of  the 
week.  Only  so  can  he  hope  to  meet  the  express 
wish  of  the  Church  of  God,  manifested  so  solemnly 
by  Christ’s  Vicar  upon  earth. 

And  this  he  should  do  not  to  those  only  who 
are  advanced  in  the  ways  of  God,  but  to  all 
who  are  Sodalists.  Young  and  old,  married  and 
unmarried,  engaged  in  the  busy  world  or  not,  all 
are  to  be  reminded  of  and  zealously  urged  to  this 
very  wholesome  practice.  So  the  Holy  Father 
has  decided  and  so  the  Church  of  God  desires. 
Holy  Communion  is  not  a  reward  for  virtue,  but 
a  source  of  strength,  a  cure  for  venial  and  a  pre¬ 
servative  against  mortal  sins. 


164 


®j )t  dobaltt?  of  0nx  Habp 


Confession 

But  the  chief  difficulty  of  Sodalists,  as  of  all 
people,  will  be  Confession.  Let  the  Director,  then, 
bend  his  efforts  to  bringing  his  Sodalists  to  Con¬ 
fession  often  :  Communion  will  naturally  follow. 

Confession  had  better  not  be  made,  usually,  oftener 
than  once  a  week,  especially  in  the  case  of  girls  and 
women.  Experience  shows  this  to  be  the  best. 
But  let  it  be  every  week ,  and,  as  far  as  possible, 
on  the  same  day  each  week.  It  is  wonderful 
how  much  habit  helps  to  make  weekly  Confession 
easy. 

Let  the  Director  remind  his  Sodalists  that,  if 
they  go  to  Confession  once  a  week,  they  can, 
without  going  again  during  the  week,  gain  any 
Indulgences  for  which  Confession  is  a  condition. 
He  should  also  let  them  know  that  in  virtue  of  a 
decree  published  in  February,  1906,  not  even 
weekly  Confession  is  a  requisite  if  one  goes  to 
Holy  Communion  daily,  even  should  he  miss  one 
or  two  days  in  the  week.  Let  him  also  correct 
the  impression  which  some  have  that  they  must 
never  go  to  Holy  Communion  without  going  to 
Confession  just  before.  There  is  no  need ;  and 
this  false  impression  leads  many  to  stay  away  from 
Communion.  Let  it  be  distinctly  understood,  then, 
that  they  need  not  go  to  Confession  again  during 
the  week  unless  they  commit  a  mortal  sin,  and 
may  meanwhile  go  to  Holy  Communion  without 


165 


fEf )t  g>ohahtp  of  (l^ur  Habp 

Confession  —  always  supposing  they  have  asked 
the  advice  of  their  Confessor. 

In  some  schools,  and  perhaps  parishes,  Confes¬ 
sions  are  heard  during  the  time  of  meeting.  It 
would  be  better  for  the  Sodalists  to  go  at  another 
time.  In  any  case  the  meeting  ought  not  to  be 
omitted  in  consequence  of  their  going  then.  The 
one  in  charge  may  shorten  it,  if  he  must,  or  vary 
the  ordinary  exercises,  but  he  had  better  not  per¬ 
mit  a  break  in  the  regular  meetings  without  seri¬ 
ous  cause. 

General  Communion 

General  Communion  will  not  be  as  frequent  as 
private.  Once  a  month  at  least  and  on  all  the 
feasts  of  Our  Lady ;  this  is  the  minimum  as  set 
down  in  the  General  Statutes,  and  the  Director 
would  act  unwisely  to  depart  from  it. 

Better  yet,  could  he  have  his  Sodality  go  once 
a  week  in  a  body.  It  would  give  immense  edifi¬ 
cation.  Let  him  not  believe  the  thing  impossible. 
If  he  establishes  public  opinion  in  its  favor,  the 
custom  would  come  in  easily  and  stay. 

Indeed,  in  most  school  Sodalities,  the  members 
go  to  Holy  Communion  every  week  as  it  is.  Why 
could  they  not  just  as  well  go  in  a  body  ?  The 
same  is  true  of  at  least  some  Sodalities  in  parishes 
—  and  could  be  made  true  of  nearly  all. 

A  useful  custom  of  some  Sodalities  is  to  notify 
all  the  members  by  postal  card  as  the  General 
Communion  day  comes  round.  The  people  at 


166 


GTfje  ibobalttp  of  0nx  Habp 

home  see  these  notifications  and  may  be  benefited 
by  their  regular  appearance.  Of  course,  this 
practice  is  not  necessary  everywhere. 


Perpetual  Communion  of  Reparation 

Could  not  every  one  in  charge  establish  the  Per¬ 
petual  Communion  of  Reparation  in  his  Sodality  ? 
Some  Sodalists  would  go  on  Monday,  some  on 
Tuesday,  etc.,  each  going  once  a  week,  or  once  a 
month,  for  that  intention. 

In  a  large  college  in  the  United  States,  the 
Director  got  the  idea  of  bringing  this  about.  The 
Retreat  time  was  coming.  He  proposed  a  No- 
vena  of  Communions  for  its  success.  The  idea 
was  taken  up  by  the  Sodalists  and  carried  through 
successfully.  It  was  unusual  to  see  the  boys  going 
to  Holy  Communion  on  week  days,  especially  in 
such  numbers.  But  the  plan  was  executed 
nevertheless. 

V  _ 

Then  came  the  Annual  Retreat.  After  it,  he 
again  proposed  the  week-day  Communions,  to  be 
carried  on,  this  time  during  the  whole  month 
of  November  for  the  Holy  Souls.  That  too  was 
taken  up  by  the  Sodalists,  and  under  their  man¬ 
agement  spread  to  the  whole  school.  Some  days 
as  many  as  fifteen  students  received  Communion 
—  always,  we  may  add,  at  the  boys’  Mass.  Great 
was  the  edification  of  boys  and  even  faculty,  who 
had  thought  the  project  an  unrealizable  dream. 

After  November  it  was  no  trouble  to  get  the 


167 


fEfje  H>0&aUtp  of  0nx  Hafcp 

boys  to  keep  on.  In  this  way  some  seventy-five 
boys  were  kept  going  constantly  to  Holy  Com¬ 
munion  every  week,  and  some  went  oftener.  The 
Sunday  Communions,  meanwhile,  did  not  fall  off 
at  all.  The  practice  has  since  spread  to  other 
colleges. 

The  same  was  tried  in  a  convent  and  was  taken 
up  with  great  zeal,  and  is  in  progress  to  this  day. 

At  a  Retreat  given  in  several  other  convent 
schools,  the  mere  telling  of  the  above  story  and 
the  proposition  to  have  the  custom  taken  up  there 
was  enough  to  bring  it  about. 

Cannot  every  Director  do  something  like  that 
with  his  Sodality  ?  It  will  draw  down  numberless 
blessings  on  his  work  and  on  all  his  surroundings. 


« 


Cftapttr  xv 

MtarfciS  uf  Zeal 


Proper  to  the  Socialists’  Aim 


ORKS  of  zeal  have  always  been  in 
vogue  in  Sodalities  and  a  number  of 
them  are  recommended  in  all  Rules. 
The  one  in  charge  can  choose  such  as 
suit  his  circumstances ;  possibly  he  could  under¬ 
take  them  all,  or  at  least  do  as  is  done  in  some 
places  and  have  different  sections  of  his  Sodality 
employ  themselves  in  different  works  of  zeal  and 
by  this  means  cover  the  whole  ground. 

It  is  the  just  pride  of  Sodalities  of  our  Lady 
that  their  members  have  always  been  foremost  in 
works  of  zeal  even  others  than  those  specially 
recommended  to  them.  And  no  wonder.  Are 
not  Sodalists  bound  to  aim  at  higher  perfection 
than  ordinary  Catholics?  Perfection  consists  in 
charity,  and  charity  is  active. 

A  few  words  about  the  works  of  zeal  that  have 
been  most  attractive  to  Mary’s  children. 


1.  The  Teaching  of  Catechism 

What  an  important  thing  in  our  day!  Igno¬ 
rance  of  our  holy  religion  is  one  of  the  most  crying 
evils  of  our  age.  Even  many  well  educated 
Catholics  do  not  know  their  religion  well. 


172 


fZTfje  ^obalttp  of  <^ur  Habp 

Is  there  in  the  neighborhood  a  parish  where 
catechists  are  hard  to  get,  or  at  least  to  keep? 
Why  could  not  the  Director  suggest  to  the  author¬ 
ities  there  that  he  has  apostles  who  would  be  glad 
to  help  them?  In  how  many  cities  are  there 
multitudes  of  foreigners  ' —  Italians,  Slavs  and 
others  —  belonging  to  Catholic  families,  indeed, 
but  quite  uninstructed  in  their  religion.  What  a 
field  for  zeal ! 

In  many  parishes,  the  difficulty  is  that  such 
catechists  as  could  be  got  are  themselves  not  well 
enough  instructed.  Sodalists  could  fill  the  gap. 

The  Director  must  not  rest  when  he  has  secured 
employment  of  this  kind  for  the  zeal  of  his  Soda- 
lists,  but  follow  up  the  work,  see  how  it  goes  on, 
provide  a  set  of  Rules  for  it,  give  instructions  how 
it  is  to  be  done,  and  point  out  the  great  charity 
there  is  in  it  —  in  a  word,  be  himself  the  soul  of 
the  work. 


2.  Visiting  the  Sick 

Another  great  work  of  mercy,  and  very  proper 
for  Sodalists. 

Those  visited  will  be,  first  of  all  —  but  not  only 
—  Sodalists  that  are  ill. 

Out  of  Sodality  funds,  or  out  of  private  charity, 
medicines  could  be  procured  for  the  poor,  doctors’ 
bills  could  be  paid,  little  comforts  for  the  sick 
room  could  be  bought,  etc. ;  above  all,  the  visitors 
should  be  careful  to  have  the  priest  called  in  time ; 


QCf) e  ibobalttp  of  0nx  Habp 


173 


another  holy  exercise  of  zeal  is  the  preparation  of 
the  sick  for  Communion  and  especially  for  the 
Viaticum. 

Let  there  be  a  set  of  Rules  for  such  visits. 
A  good  instruction  for  the  visitors  should  be 
found  in  every  Manual ;  let  that  be  explained 
from  time  to  time.  The  one  in  charge  should 
be  sure  to  insist  on  the  supernatural  side  of  the 
charity. 

Some  caution,  however,  is  to  be  exercised  in 
this  holy  work,  and  visits  to  the  sick  are  not  to  be 
permitted  where  there  would  be  danger  of  any 
kind  to  morals ;  it  would  always,  indeed,  be  better 
to  have  the  visits  made  with  a  companion. 

3.  Visits  to  Prisons 

This,  too,  has  always  been  the  custom  in  Sodal¬ 
ities,  and  has  always  done  a  vast  deal  of  good. 
It  is  at  once  a  corporal  and  a  spiritual  work  of 
mercy. 

Among  other  excellent  results,  it  makes  the 
good  people  of  a  Sodality  aware  how  much  sin 
there  is  in  the  world  and  see  how  much  they  can 
help  their  neighbor  to  avoid. 

In  deciding  what  part  of  prison  work  to  under¬ 
take,  the  Director  cannot  do  better  than  get 
instruction  from  the  St.  Vincent  de  Paul  Society. 
They  make  a  study  of  the  circumstances  and  are 
the  best  fitted  to  give  advice  in  this  and  similar 
matters.  We  might  add,  in  passing,  that  the  very 


174 


Wbt  ibobaiitp  of  €>ur  ILaty 

best  course  would  be  to  form  a  Vincentian  Society 
among  the  Sodalists  for  these  works  of  charity 
and  zeal. 

4.  Attending  Funerals 

An  Indulgence  can  be  gained  by  Sodalists  for 
this  work  of  mercy,  and  it  has  been  for  long  years 
a  practice  among  them. 

A  beautiful  custom  is  that  which  some  So¬ 
dalities  have  of  reciting  the  Office  of  the  Dead 
at  the  home  of  a  deceased  member.  It  makes  a 
lasting  impression  on  all  present  and  all  that  hear 
of  it. 

The  Director  ought  never  to  omit,  if  he  can  help 
it,  the  saying  of  the  Office  for  the  Dead  in  the 
Sodality  Chapel,  as  soon  as  he  can  conveniently 
gather  the  members.  In  one  of  our  large  colleges 
a  few  years  ago,  this  was  done  at  a  special  meet¬ 
ing.  The  effect  was  to  make  the  Sodalists  realize 
the  solid  good  the  Sodality  was  to  them. 

In  many  Sodalities,  the  Rule  prescribes  a  Mass, 
or  several,  for  each  Sodalist  that  dies.  The  Direc¬ 
tor  must  be  careful  to  have  these  Masses  said 
exactly  according  to  the  Rule,  and  to  urge  the 
prompt  payment  of  the  other  suffrages  prescribed. 

He  should  see  that  deceased  Sodalists  have  their 
medals  on  when  laid  out  and  when  buried.  It  is 
a  consolation  to  the  family  and  friends,  a  comfort 
to  the  other  Sodalists,  and  a  proper  mark  of  re¬ 
spect  to  the  departed  child  of  Our  Lady. 


Cfje  ibobalttp  of  0nv  Habp 


175 


5.  Help  Given  the  Souls  in  Purgatory 

Our  Holy  Mother  the  Church  has  specially 
blessed  this  work  and  it  is  one  very  dear  to  Our 
Lady.  The  Prisoners  of  the  King  are  her  beloved 
children. 

What  a  joy  it  would  be  to  her  heart  if  all  So- 
dalists  were  to  make  the  Heroic  Act  !  Let  it  be 
explained  to  them  and  let  them  be  drawn  to 
make  it. 

If  the  Director  cannot  succeed  in  getting  all  to 
make  the  Heroic  Act,  he  can  at  least  continually 
recommend  the  application  to  the  Holy  Souls  of 
Indulgences  gained,  especially  during  the  month 
of  November.  During  this  month  it  would  be 
well  to  make  up  among  the  members  a  sort  of 
treasure  of  satisfactory  works  and  Indulgences 
collected  for  the  Souls  and  put  in  Our  Blessed 
Mothers  hands  for  distribution :  it  would  make  a 
touching  ceremony  to  have  this  treasure  presented 
solemnly  to  Our  Lady  by  the  Prefect  at  the  end  of 
the  month. 

6.  Altar  Work 

This  is  peculiarly  fitted  for  girls  and  women,  and 
a  beautiful  exercise  of  devotion  it  is.  Let  it  not, 
however,  be  carried  on  without  the  supernatural 
motive. 

Altar  work  can  be  done  even  in  convent  schools. 
The  Convent  Altar,  or  at  least  that  of  Our  Lady, 
could  be  kept  in  linen  and  adorned  by  the  Sodal- 


176 


Gftje  H>obalitp  of  Our  Habp 

ists.  A  Catholic  lady  should  feel  proud  to  be 
permitted  to  do  it,  as  the  great  ones  of  the  earth 
in  former  times  prized  the  honor  of  presenting  the 
bread  and  wine  for  the  Eucharistic  Sacrifice. 

7.  The  Apostleship  of  Prayer 

In  the  parish  or  school  where  one  is  directing 
the  Sodality,  one  might  have  the  members  take 
the  entire  management  of  the  Apostleship  of 
Prayer.  In  any  case,  it  is  they  that  would  be 
wanted  for  Promoters.  Why  could  not  the  whole 
business  of  the  organization  be  put  in  the  Sodal¬ 
ity’s  charge  ?  This  was  done  at  a  certain  school 
a  few  years  ago  with  excellent  results.  Nothing 
was  changed  as  to  the  Promoters’  meetings,  the 
distribution  of  leaflets,  the  keeping  up  of  the 
degrees,  etc.  The  Prefect  was  Head  Promoter. 

8.  The  St.  John  Berchmans  Society 

Here  again  the  Sodality  might  have  control, 
and  only  Sodalists  might  be  admitted  to  member¬ 
ship,  or,  in  the  case  of  young  boys,  the  society 
might  be  officered  entirely  from  the  Sodality. 
Something  similar  was  done  in  a  college  in  the 
East  some  fifty  years  ago ;  a  junior  Sodality  was 
started  and  its  officers  were  elected  by  the  senior 
body. 

9.  The  St.  Vincent  de  Paul  Society 

It  was  Sodalists  that  first  gave  the  idea  of  this 
splendid  work  of  Catholic  charity  and  zeal.  Hence, 


177 


GDfje  ^obalttp  of  €>ur  Habp 

Sodalists  should  be  eager  to  aid  it  in  every  way. 
The  one  in  charge  should  create  an  enthusiasm  for 
it  among  his  Sodalists. 

If  a  Director  is  in  charge  of  a  Convent  Sodality, 
or  one  of  women,  he  could  establish  among  them 
what  is  called  an  Auxiliary  Society. 

Let  the  contributions  for  the  poor  be  bestowed 
usually  through  the  Vincentians.  Perhaps  the 
Sodality  Council  could  occasionally  appropriate 
some  of  its  funds  to  help  on  their  noble  work. 

In  some  educational  institutions  there  is  a 
Council  of  the  Society ;  naturally  its  members 
would  all  be  Sodalists. 

In  several  schools  there  is  a  custom  of  taking 
up  a  collection  of  money  and  clothes  for  the  poor 
once,  or  several  times  a  year.  The  Sodality  could 
be  in  charge  of  that. 

Again,  in  convents,  the  children  could  be  got 
to  sew  for  the  poor.  Thus,  in  one  place,  a  beau¬ 
tiful  custom  exists  of  dressing  a  certain  number 
of  poor  children  every  year  for  their  first  Holy 
Communion.  How  proud  our  Blessed  Mother 
must  feel  of  Sodalists  so  devoted  to  her  Divine 
Son ! 

Another  form  charity  to  those  in  need  could 
take  is  the  management  of  intelligence  bureaus, 
to  which  Catholic  girls  coming  to  strange  cities 
could  have  recourse  when  in  need  of  employment, 
or  when  in  quest  of  proper  boarding  houses,  etc. 

These  are  some  of  the  works  of  zeal  which 

12 


178 


H>o&alttp  of  <&uv  Xabp 


Sodalists  could  engage  in.  In  some  cases,  organi¬ 
zation  among  the  members  for  these  or  the  like 
purposes  would  not  be  easy,  perhaps,  but  it  would 
please  Our  Lady  to  have  each  and  every  Sodalist 
belong  to  some,  or  many,  charitable  organizations 
and  be  faithful  in  carrying  out  their  rules. 

10.  Lay  Apostolate 

There  are  many  ways  in  which  this  work  of  zeal 
can  be  exercised.  One  is  the  practice  of  giving 
notice  to  a  priest  of  unbaptized  children  of  Catho¬ 
lic  parents,  or  of  the  religious  neglect  of  the  issue 
of  mixed  marriages,  or  of  orphans  who  are  in 
danger  of  falling  a  prey  to  sectarian  proselytism. 

Another  is  the  bringing  to  a  priest  of  non- 
Catholics  who  are  desirous  of  being  instructed 
in  the  faith.  Many  of  these  people,  from  igno¬ 
rance,  of  course,  dread  making  advances  of  this 
kind. 

A  third  is  the  care  to  place  needy  girls,  or 
women,  or  young  people  in  positions  in  which 
their  morals  will  be  safeguarded. 

Still  another  is  so  important  as  to  deserve  a 
section  to  itself. 

11.  The  Apostleship  of  the  Press 

In  our  day  there  are  few  acts  of  zeal  that  are 
more  proper  for  a  Sodalist.  It  is  a  Sodalist  Saint 
that  is  the  patron  of  the  press,  St.  Francis  de 
Sales. 


179 


fEfje  gbobalttp  of  dDur  Habp 

Ignorance  of  our  holy  faith  is  everywhere  about 
us ;  with  ignorance  is  often  associated  prejudice. 
Both  are  removed  by  the  spread  of  Catholic  litera¬ 
ture,  which  thus  becomes  the  means  of  salvation 
to  numberless  souls. 

We  are  happy  to  learn  that  this  work  has  been 
taken  up  by  an  association  of  Sodalities  in  one  of 
our  great  cities.  May  our  Blessed  Mother  bless 
all  those  who  are  engaged  in  it !  The  Apostleship 
is  exercised  by  distributing  sheets,  pamphlets,  and 
books  on  our  holy  religion,  by  answering  attacks 
on  the  faith  in  the  public  papers  and  magazines, 
by  writing  explanations  of  our  belief,  etc. 

Not  all  Sodalists,  indeed,  can  take  up  every 
kind  of  such  work,  but  all  can  do  something  to 
help  it  on. 


(itftapUr  XVI 
JWawtftlg  |)atrmtd 


Meaning  and  Choice 


distribution  of  Monthly  Patrons 
been  a  long  time  in  use  in  Sodal- 

is  done  as  follows  :  — 

On  the  last  day  of  the  month,  or  on  the  last 
meeting  day,  or  on  the  day  of  the  Monthly  Recol¬ 
lection,  the  Prefect,  or  some  other  Sodalist,  is 
ready  with  a  basket  or  box  at  the  door.  In  the 
receptacle  are  little  slips  or  cards  printed  with  the 
names  of  the  Saints  of  the  coming  month,  each 
card  containing  also  some  virtue  to  practise  and 
some  motto  for  reflection.  In  some  places,  each 
card  contains  a  picture  of  the  Saint.  As  the  So- 
dalists  go  out,  each  one  takes  at  random  out  of 
the  box  one  of  these  cards.  During  the  next 
month  the  Sodalist  pays  special  honor  to  the  Saint 
and  practises  the  virtue  and  reflects  often  on  the 
motto. 

Interesting  and  very  edifying  stories  are  told  of 
the  fruits  of  this  practice,  which  is  said  to  have 
originated  with  St.  Francis  Borgia. 

If  one  cannot  secure  the  printed  slips,  let  him 
write  out  a  sufficient  number  or  try  to  manage 


184  Qtfje  £§>obalitj>  of  0nv  Habp 

some  other  plan  for  selecting  a  patron  each 
month. 

On  the  day  on  which  monthly  patrons  are 
chosen,  it  might  be  well,  as  was  suggested  above, 
to  recite  or  sing  the  Litany  of  the  Saints  at  the  end 
of  the  meeting. 


CftttptM*  XVII 

Cfte  iHcmtftlt)  lUralltctfaiT 


What  it  is 


MOST  salutary  practice  of  many  So¬ 
dalities  is  that  of  the  Monthly  Recol¬ 
lection.  This  is  an  exercise  which 
cannot,  perhaps,  be  held  in  all  such 
bodies,  at  least  in  common,  but  it  is  wonderful 
how  a  little  good-will  on  the  part  of  the  members 
and  ingenuity  on  the  part  of  the  Director  often 
make  it  feasible  where  it  was  thought  impossible. 

The  Monthly  Recollection  is  nothing  more  nor 
less  than  a  day  of  retreat,  with  this  special  feature 
added  that  it  is  also  a  preparation  for  death. 

General  devotions  enough  are  given  in  any  good 
Manual  for  conducting  the  exercises.  Following 
are  certain  hints  :  — 


Silence 

The  Director  should  urge  the  observance  of  as 
perfect  silence  as  can  be  had.  A  very  able  and  ex¬ 
perienced  giver  of  Retreats  once  said :  No  silence , 
no  retreat — and  it  is  perfectly  true.  For  solid 
profit,  the  soul  must  be  in  a  receptive  state;  it 
is  hard  to  bring  that  about  without  the  aid  of 
silence. 

If  the  Sodalists  are  all  living  in  the  house  with 
the  one  in  charge,  keeping  silence  should  be  a 


188 


GTfje  gbobalitp  of  0uv  Habp 


simple  enough  matter,  depending  on  nothing  but 
their  own  good-will.  The  others  in  the  house 
with  them  could  be  got  to  keep  silence  at  meals 
and  whenever  they  meet  the  Sodalists,  or  the  So- 
dalists  could,  perhaps,  be  given  their  meals  and 
recreation  by  themselves  —  of  course  by  recreation 
is  not  meant  talk.  The  whole  day,  or  whatever 
part  is  devoted  to  the  Recollection,  should  be 
uninterrupted  as  to  silence. 

In  the  case  of  extern  students,  or  people  in  the 
world,  there  is  more  difficulty.  But  even  they  can 
keep  silence  almost,  if  not  quite,  perfectly.  Let 
the  Director  persuade  them  of  its  importance  and 
get  them  to  make  the  extra  effort.  They  will  be 
amply  repaid  in  the  grace  they  will  have,  for  God 
our  Lord  loves  generosity. 

Notice 

Of  course,  one  will  have  to  give  due  notice  — 
say  a  week  ahead  —  of  the  Day  of  Recollection. 

Exercises 

The  Director  will  choose  the  exercises  to  be 
performed. 

Among  them  will  be  a  Meditation  of  some  kind 
on  Death.  There  will  be  at  least  one  in  every 
good  Manual ;  others  can  be  composed,  or  can  be 
taken  from  books  —  Kempis  is  particularly  useful. 
It  will  be  easy,  therefore,  to  vary  from  month  to 
month.  This  Meditation  will  make  an  excellent 
beginning  for  the  day,  for  it  will  have  the  effect  of 


189 


Wf) e  ££>obalttp  of  <&ux  liabp 

setting  the  retreatants  thinking  seriously.  The 
one  in  charge  should  give  the  points  himself  over 
night,  if  he  can  collect  his  Sodalists  at  that  time. 
Let  them  make  the  Meditation  next  morning  before 
Mass. 

Of  course,  it  will  be  a  Communion  day,  and  of 
course,  a  General  Communion  day  —  namely,  the 
Sodalists  will  go  to  Communion  in  a  body.  After 
Mass  is  over,  the  chapel  should  be  in  the  posses¬ 
sion  of  the  Sodality.  The  Director  would  do  well 
to  read  himself  the  Thanksgiving,  if  it  is  made 
aloud  after  Communion,  or  at  least  depute  for 
that  duty  some  one  who  is  highly  respected  and  is 
very  exemplary. 

Breakfast  comes  next.  If  it  is  a  school,  it 
would  help  to  have  something  out  of  the  ordinary 
served.  —  Some  book  could  be  read  during  the 
breakfast,  either  on  Holy  Communion  or,  by  way 
of  introduction,  on  something  of  the  day’s  work. 
Let  it  be  an  interesting  book,  and  carefully  chosen. 
It  would  be  well  if  the  Director  could  read  him¬ 
self,  but  that  would  usually  not  be  possible.  It 
would  prevent  his  being  on  hand  when  the  Sodal¬ 
ists  are  free.  They  will  want  to  talk  to  him  about 
their  spiritual  life.  He  will  allow  them,  of  course, 
and  give  them  all  the  help  he  can,  and  be  very 
kind  and  considerate. 

After  breakfast,  a  visit  to  the  chapel  can  be 
made  in  common.  This  is  a  brief  visit  —  two 
minutes  is  sufficient.  No  prayers  are  said  aloud. 


190 


GTfje  g>obalitj>  of  0nv  Hafcp 

At  a  convenient  hour,  the  Monthly  Examen  is 
made.  Any  room  might  be  used  where  they  could 
write.  The  Director  could  read  the  items  one  at 
a  time,  pausing  after  each  to  let  the  Sodalists  ex¬ 
amine  themselves  and  jot  down  their  reflections.  — 
This  exercise  will  often  take  a  whole  hour ;  so,  in 
the  arrangement  of  the  day,  space  enough  must  be 
left  for  it.  —  If  the  Director  reads  the  items  him¬ 
self,  let  him  sit  at  the  back  and  not  where  he 
might  appear  to  be  watching  the  Sodalists. 

As  to  the  rest  of  the  day,  the  one  in  charge  will 
find  help  enough  in  his  own  experience,  or  in  a 
good  Manual.  Let  everything  be  orderly  and  run 
on  smoothly.  Better  to  have  plenty  to  do ;  other¬ 
wise  the  time  will  drag.  It  is  well  to  make  the  day 
pass  so  that  all  will  be  glad  when  the  next  comes. 

If  one  has  the  singing  of  the  Litany  of  Loretto, 
or  of  hymns,  let  not  the  practising  be  done  on  the 
Day  of  Recollection.  It  is  hard  to  be  at  singing 
practice  without  talking. 


The  Chapel 

The  Chapel,  or  the  Statue  of  Our  Lady,  should 
be  neatly,  but  not  expensively,  decorated.  Let  the 
Sodality  pay  for  it  and  the  Sacristans  have  charge 
of  it. 

When  not  in  Common 

If  it  is  not  possible  to  have  the  exercises  to¬ 
gether,  the  members  should  be  urged  to  make  the 
Monthly  Recollection  privately  in  their  homes,  or, 


191 


Cfje  gbobatttp  of  0nv  Habp 

perhaps,  in  small  parties.  It  would  help  to  sug¬ 
gest  an  order  of  time  for  them  and  set  down  the 
exercises  and  the  list  of  readings,  etc.  Perhaps  — 
but  that  would  be  somewhat  expensive  —  the  So¬ 
dality  could  send  around  a  printed  form  for  each 
Monthly  Recollection. 


ifftwwraimN  t  iftiTr 


Ciwjjtcr  XVIII 
iWontft  of  iflctt) 


Various  Methods 


ATURALLY,  Our  Lady’s  Sodality 
will  have  special  devotions  for  Mary’s 
Month. 

One  way  to  conduct  these  devotions 
Sodality  members,  a  different  one  each 
day,  read  a  piece  composed  or  selected  by  each  to 
honor  Our  Lady.  This  has  been  done  with  good 
effect  in  several  colleges.  Non-Sodalists  attended, 
but  took  no  part  in  the  writing  or  reading  of 
papers. 

In  some  places,  the  Prefect  and  officers  con¬ 
duct  all  the  devotions.  This  also  is  a  good 
plan. 

One  thing  the  Sodality  can  do :  it  can  collect 
funds  for  decorating  the  shrine  of  Our  Lady  and 
keeping  it  beautiful  during  the  month.  At  one 
of  our  American  colleges  there  used  to  be  a  cus¬ 
tom  that  Sodalists  went  to  every  boy  in  the  school 
and  begged  for  the  statue.  One  year,  the  sum 
realized  in  the  first  appeal  was  no  less  than 
seventy-five  dollars. 

If  the  work  of  caring  for  the  shrine  is  laborious, 
or  takes  much  time,  there  can  be  a  different  band 
in  charge  each  week.  This  might  be  good  in  any 
case,  as  it  would  excite  emulation. 


196 


g>obalttp  of  0ur  Habp 

On  some  day  during  the  month,  it  would  be 
well  to  have  a  celebration  with  more  than  ordinary 
splendor.  The  details  will  depend  on  the  circum¬ 
stances  of  the  place,  and  the  means  of  the  Sodality. 
There  might  always  be  a  solemn  Renewal  of  the 
Act  of  Consecration.  Perhaps,  if  one  is  in  a  col¬ 
lege  or  a  convent,  the  Sodalist  could  be  granted 
a  holiday,  or  at  least  a  half-holiday.  For  the 
ordinary  days  during  the  month,  one  could  have 
a  Meditation  on  some  event  in  Our  Lady’s  life, 
or  on  some  one  of  her  prerogatives.  There  could 
be  a  special  visit  made  each  day  in  common  to 
her  statue,  with  appropriate  readings  or  prayers. 
The  Litany  could  be  sung.  Perhaps  one  could 
have  Benediction  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament  every 
day,  as  is  done  in  many  places.  A  little  discourse 
by  the  Director  or  by  another  priest  each  day  is  a 
very  common  way  of  distinguishing  the  Month  of 
Our  Lady. 

Communions  should  be  more  frequent  during 
the  month  of  May.  Perhaps  one  could,  at  least 
at  this  time  of  the  year,  have  the  weekly  General 
Communion,  and  the  Perpetual  Communion  of 
Reparation. 


Cfcaptcr  XIX 
Matronal  .tfearit 


Exercises  and  Hints 


Patronal  Feast  is  the  great  Sodality 
f  and  the  custom  has  always  been 
make  it  a  memorable  one.  Here 
some  suggestions. 

The  practices  of  piety  recommended  in  most 
Rules  for  the  nine  days  before  the  feast  ought  not 
to  be  neglected. 

If  the  Sodality  is  in  a  school,  let  the  feast  itself 
be  a  holiday,  at  least  for  the  Sodalists. 

Let  there  be  a  Solemn  Mass,  or  at  least  as 
grand  a  one  as  is  possible  under  the  circumstances. 
A  first-class  sermon,  also,  would  help  much. 

There  will,  of  course,  be  a  regular  meeting, 
according  to  the  Rule. 

Let  the  Benediction  be  extra  in  some  way  —  as 
in  vestments,  in  singing,  etc.,  and  even  be  solemn, 
if  possible. 

The  Solemn  Reception  of  new  members  could 
take  place  just  before  the  Benediction  and  could 
be  held  in  the  chapel  or  wherever  Our  Lady’s 
Statue,  beautifully  adorned  for  the  occasion,  could 
be  set  up.  Others  could  be  present  —  indeed, 
the  more  the  better  —  but  let  only  members 
participate.  The  full  form  of  the  Ceremonial 
should  be  carried  out. 


200 


Wt je  ibobalttp  of  (Pur  Habp 

The  Director  should  be  careful  to  have  the 
medals  and  diplomas  and  manuals  in  time. 
They  could  be  gracefully  arranged  where  they 
would  be  seen  by  all  and  make  an  impression  on 
them.  All  such  things  help. 

An  elegantly  printed  program  of  the  event 
would  add  much  to  the  splendor  of  the  occasion. 
It  should  contain  the  full  names  and  the  offices 
of  all  concerned.  One  very  beautiful  program 
which  we  saw  recorded  the  names  of  even  the 
altar  boys. 

If  the  day  itself  is  inconvenient,  the  celebration 
could  be  held  on  the  following  Sunday. 

It  is  well  to  have  a  feast  on  the  day  for  the 
Sodalists,  a  feast  made  notable  as  well  for  its 
good  things  as  for  its  cheeriness  and  good  feeling. 

If  it  is  the  proper  time  of  the  year,  the  election 
of  officers  could  come  at  the  end  of  the  festivities 
and  on  the  day  itself. 


<5° 


Cftaptn*  xx 
Stmtual  Retreat 


Importance 


HE  Rule  calls  for  a  Retreat  every  year. 
Manifestly,  it  is  an  exercise  of  the 
very  first  importance  and  should  be 
conducted  with  great  care.  Need¬ 


less  to  add,  it  should  never  be  omitted. 


Preparation 

The  first  thing  to  do  is  to  excite  enthusiasm  for 
the  Retreat.  As  soon  as  the  date  is  settled  — 
that  belongs  to  the  Director  —  he  should  begin  to 
talk  the  Retreat  up.  He  could  give  a  conference 
on  it  —  or  several  —  some  time  in  advance,  and 
explain  what  means  to  take  in  preparing  for  it. 
The  best  preparation  is  a  spirit  of  generosity,  good¬ 
will  and  eagerness,  and  the  sense  that  the  Exer¬ 
cises  will  mean  much  for  the  salvation  and  the 
perfection  of  the  individual  souls  and  for  the  com¬ 
mon  good. 

It  would  help  to  get  prayers  for  its  success, 
prayers  from  the  members,  from  the  little  ones  in 
orphan  asylums  or  schools,  and  from  religious 
Communities.  It  would  be  well  to  add  a  prayer 
at  each  meeting  for  this  same  end.  A  novena  of 
Communions  is  also  in  use  in  some  places,  some 
members  going  each  day.  If  the  Director  is  a 


204 


gbobalitp  of  <£>ur  Habp 

priest,  he  will  not  forget  to  give  the  Retreat  a 
special  memento  in  Holy  Mass.  An  excellent 
prayer  is  for  all  the  Socialists  to  say  the  beads  each 
day  for  some  time  before  the  Retreat  for  graces 
from  on  high.  The  Indulgences  could  be  put  in 
Our  Lady’s  hands  for  the  souls  in  Purgatory. 

In  this  way  the  Sodalists  will  come  to  the  work 
thoroughly  prepared,  and  the  efforts  of  the  Father 
who  gives  the  Exercises  will  be  enforced  by  so 
many  powerful  appeals  to  the  throne  of  Mercy  and 
the  bounty  and  loving-kindness  of  Our  Mother. 

Silence 

The  Retreat  Will  fail  of  much  of  its  effect,  if 
silence  is  not  observed  accurately.  No  silence, 
no  retreat.  Let  the  Director,  then,  urge  the 
members  to  remove  the  obstacles,  if  there  are 
any. 

If  one  is  in  charge  of  a  college  or  a  convent 
Sodality,  the  thing  is  easy.  Public  example  will 
make  it  so.  Perhaps  the  rest  of  the  school  are  in 
retreat  at  the  same  time  as  the  Sodality  —  which 
is  the  usual  way  —  but  whatever  the  other  pupils 
do,  the  Director  must  be  sure  and  have  his  Sodal¬ 
ists  observe  silence. 

If  it  is  a  Sodality  of  extern  pupils,  or  of  people 
in  the  world,  silence  must  nevertheless  be  urged. 
A  little  good-will  makes  the  thing  possible. 
Going  about  daily  duties  brings,  indeed,  the  need 
of  an  occasional  word,  but  such  words  can  be 


205 


fEfje  £§>obalttp  of  <£>ur  Hafop 

made  fewer  during  the  days  of  recollection.  Meal 
time  is  a  greater  difficulty,  but  even  that  can  be 
managed.  We  hear  of  children  —  girls  —  while 
conversation  is  going  on  at  table  around  them, 
keeping  silence,  and  bearing  the  laughter  and 
jokes  about  their  singularity  and  foolishness  and 
what  not.  Older  people  can  do  as  much,  if  they 
make  up  their  minds  to  it. 


Who  is  to  Give  It? 

Usually,  the  Retreat  is  given  by  a  priest.  If  the 
Director  is  a  priest,  it  might  be  well  for  him  to 
give  it,  though  most  Directors  and  Sodalists  pre¬ 
fer  to  have  a  stranger. 

If  the  one  in  charge  is  not  a  priest,  he  must  try 
to  secure  one  in  time.  If  he  cannot,  then  let  him 
simply  make  bold  to  give  the  Retreat  himself. 
He  has  often  made  Retreats  and  remembers  how 
priests  give  them.  Let  him  follow  the  exercises 
and  instructions  and  copy  the  manner  of  those 
whom  he  has  heard.  Indeed,  when  a  priest  can¬ 
not  be  had,  a  Retreat  given  by  the  one  in  charge 
is  likely  to  do  a  vast  deal  of  good.  Much  in  a 
Retreat  depends  on  talking  so  as  to  suit  the  needs 
and  circumstances  of  the  audience.  Who  knows 
these  things  better  than  the  one  in  charge  of  the 
Sodality?  By  all  means,  therefore,  rather  than 
have  no  Retreat,  or  none  by  a  priest,  let  the 
Director,  or  the  Subdirector,  or  even  the  Direc¬ 
tress,  give  it. 


206 


Wfje  iboimlttp  of  0ur  Habp 


How  Many  Days? 

Three  days  is  the  usual  thing  in  Sodalities. 
When  there  are  but  three,  they  should  at  least 
be  full  days.  The  zealous  Director  will  not  be 
satisfied  —  unless  he  simply  cannot  do  better  — 
to  have  the  Retreat  day  begin  at  9  a.  m.  and  end 
at  4  p.  m.  People  make  sacrifices  willingly  for  a 
Mission,  and  that  lasts  a  week.  They  will  rise  in 
time  for  5  o’clock  Mass  and  will  go  out  without 
breakfast  and  will  miss  no  portion  of  any  exer¬ 
cise.  Sodalists  should  be  willing  to  do  as  much 
for  their  Retreat.  Let  the  Director  get  his  re- 
treatants  together  for  Mass  at  6.30  or  so,  and  keep 
them  occupied  all  day  until  as  late  an  hour  as 
possible  in  the  evening.  Of  course  all  this  is  easy 
enough  in  a  boarding  school.  But  it  can  be  done 
with  retreatants  living  at  home,  too. 

But  it  is  a  pity  to  have  so  few  days  as  three. 
Let  the  Director  see  if  he  cannot  manage  four  at 
least,  or  five.  The  Exercises  have  to  be  crushed 
up  or  curtailed  to  get  them  into  three  days,  and 
the  Father  who  gives  the  Retreat  is  usually  not 
able  to  go  into  a  part  of  the  Exercises  which 
would  be  exceedingly  useful  for  Sodalists.  With 
but  three  days,  he  is  forced  to  make  the  Retreat 
resemble  a  Mission  ;  now,  a  Retreat  to  Sodalists 
should  not  be  of  the  same  character  as  a  Mis¬ 
sion  —  that  is,  if  it  is  a  real  Sodality  of  fervent 
Catholics. 


fEfje  £z>obalttj>  of  ©ur  Habp 


207 


Reading 

Whoever  gives  the  Retreat,  it  will  be  the  Di¬ 
rector’s  place  to  see  to  the  reading.  He  should 
have  first-class  readers  and  get  them  interested  in 
their  duty.  If  the  choice  of  the  book  is  left  to 
him,  let  him  pick  out  matter  that  suits  the  exer¬ 
cises  as  they  proceed.  Among  other  useful  books 
Mother  Loyola’s  “  Little  Treasures  ”  will  be  found 
most  excellently  fitted  for  Retreat  reading.  The 
things  read  should  be  interesting  and  easy  to  fol¬ 
low,  as  well  as  altogether  spiritual  and  of  a  high 
order  of  spirituality.  Such  are  the  things  Mother 
Loyola  supplies. 

Part  taken  by  the  One  in  Charge 

Again,  it  will  be  the  Director’s  business  to  assist 
the  Father  in  any  way  the  Father  wishes.  The 
Director  can  be  of  great  help  to  him  in  many  ways. 
Let  him  give  his  assistance  gladly  and  constantly. 

Another  point :  the  Director’s  advice  about  their 
lives  will  be  asked  by  the  Sodalists  during  the 
Retreat.  Let  him  be  on  hand  and  give  it  kindly 
and  spiritually  —  he  need  not,  of  course,  be  told 
that  he  must  not  interfere  with  the  Confessor's 
office. 

Singing 

Singing,  at  some  periods,  is  often  useful  in  a 
Retreat.  We  have  known  retreatants  to  be  much 
assisted  by  the  Miserere  sung  after  Benediction  on 
the  days  when  Sin  is  the  subject.  The  Te  Deum 


208 


myt  ibobalttp  of  0nx  Habp 


makes  an  appropriate  ending  for  the  days  of  recol¬ 
lection  ;  it  is  sometimes  replaced  by  the  Holy  God , 
which  is  frequently  known  by  all  and  can  be  ren¬ 
dered  congregationally.  Hymns  full  of  unction 
sung  after  Holy  Communion  are  helpful  and  con¬ 
soling.  The  Sacred  Heart  League  Hymn  or  some 
other  stirring  composition  would  do  good  service 
at  the  beginning  of  the  second  week.  Retreats 
are  often  begun  in  a  very  impressive  way  with  the 
solemn  Veni  Creator .  Some  Fathers  desire  sing¬ 
ing  at  Mass  during  the  Retreat,  and  it  is  a  great 
help  for  many  people. 

The  Director  will  find  it  well  to  neglect  none 
of  these  devices  for  making  the  Retreat  more 
effective. 

Among  other  uses  of  all  this,  it  will  be  remem¬ 
bered  that  keeping  silence  is  much  easier  when 
there  is  some  singing  during  the  day,  especially  if 
it  is  by  the  retreatants. 

Breakfast  on  the  Closing  Day 

Let  the  breakfast  after  the  final  Mass  and  Com¬ 
munion  be  taken,  if  possible,  in  common,  and  let 
it  be  very  cheery  and  bright.  Everybody  will  be 
in  good  spirits,  and  the  general  happiness  at  this 
first  breaking  of  silence  will  contribute  much  to 
bind  the  members  together. 

Nothing  expensive  is  necessary  at  this  breakfast ; 
in  some  places  a  cup  of  good  coffee  and  a  roll  are 
considered  sufficient. 


)t  ibobalttp  of  (But  Habp 


209 


Souvenir 

It  has  been  found  useful  at  times  to  give  each 
retreatant  a  little  printed  card  with  thoughts  and 
prayers  suitable  for  continuing  the  effect  of  the 
Retreat.  If  the  Director  gets  up  such  a  card,  let 
him  have  it  beautifully  worded  and  typographically 
fine. 

A  program  also  of  the  Retreat  containing  the 
order  of  time,  and  even  that  of  the  exercises,  if 
this  is  thought  well,  is  sometimes  profitable ;  its 
terms  are  arranged  by  the  Father  who  gives  the 
Retreat.  The  program  will  be  more  prized  if  it 
contains  the  names  of  the  retreatants. 


After  the  Retreat 

After  the  Retreat  is  over,  the  one  in  charge  of 
the  Sodality  should  keep  its  memory  fresh  by 
often  referring  to  it,  recalling  its  salient  features, 
urging  its  lessons,  etc. 

The  next  Monthly  Day  of  Recollection  might  be 
a  renewal  of  the  Annual  Retreat.  The  Director 
might  make  all  the  Meditations  of  the  day  repeti¬ 
tions  of  Retreat  Exercises,  and  could  recall  the 
chief  points  insisted  on  then  and  apply  and  urge 
them  anew. 


14 


Chapter  XXI 

Iteuetoal  at  the  act  at  CamJecrattan 


/ 


When 


VERY  beautiful  and  inspiring  custom 
in  some  Sodalities  is  that  of  the  Re¬ 
newal  of  the  Act  of  Consecration. 

This  takes  place  once  a  year,  or 
oftener.  The  day  or  days  can  be  determined  by 
the  one  in  charge,  on  advice  of  the  Council.  The 
Month  of  May  is  one  natural  time  and  the  Patronal 
Feast  is  another. 


How  to  Conduct  It 

It  is  well  to  have  the  manner  of  conducting 
this  function  fixed.  This  is  done  in  the  Ceremonial 
of  some  manuals.  It  goes  without  saying  that 
the  Director  will  make  as  much  of  it  as  he  can 
for  Our  Blessed  Mother’s  honor.  The  essential 
element  is  the  reciting  of  the  Act.  This  may  be 
done  by  the  Prefect  alone,  or  by  the  Prefect  and 
members  together,  they  repeating  the  Act  phrase 
for  phrase  after  the  Prefect,  or  by  each  member 
separately.  The  last  is  undoubtedly  the  most 
solemn  way  and  can  easily  be  followed  when  the 
Sodalists  are  not  too  numerous. 

Some  members  will  not  be  able  to  be  present. 
A  printed  Act  of  Consecration  could  be  sent  them 
to  return  signed.  The  Prefect  would  then  present 
these  signed  Acts  to  Our  Lady  in  a  little  address. 


214 


Wi )t  £§>obalttp  of  <&uv  Habp 

In  the  case  of  the  other  Sodalists  the  order 
of  precedence  in  the  Renewal  should  be  that  of 
dignity. 

This  Renewal  could  be  made  in  the  chapel  or 
before  a  shrine  of  Our  Lady  specially  set  up  for 
the  occasion. 

One  way  of  saving  time  in  it,  without  lessen¬ 
ing  the  solemnity,  is  to  have  several  prie-dieus  pre¬ 
pared,  and  at  each  a  Sodalist  ready  to  recite  the 
Act  as  the  preceding  one  finishes. 


Cfcapter  xxil 

Jftnal  Skgartuve  frmu  Jkftmrt 


The  Custom  Described 


HE  custom  we  are  about  to  describe 
is  peculiar  to  school  Sodalities.  The 
time  when  the  student  years  are  ending 
and  what  is  called  real  life  is  beginning 
is  a  pathetic  and  a  most  important  period  in  a  life. 
It  is  the  desire  to  consecrate  it  in  a  special  way  to 
Our  Lady  that  has  led  to  the  establishment  of  the 
following  ceremony. 

The  Sodalists  gather  on  one  of  the  last  days 
of  the  scholastic  year,  just  before  leaving  school. 
Those  who  are  not  to  return  renew  very  solemnly 
their  Act  of  Consecration  to  Our  Blessed  Mother, 
adding,  perhaps,  a  few  words  expressive  of  their 
determination  to  belong  forever  to  her. 

The  Director  addresses  them  for  the  last  time 
as  school  Sodalists  and  brings  home  to  them  their 
responsibilities  in  the  various  states  of  life  they 
are  soon  to  engage  in.  He  reminds  them  that 
they  are  Sodalists  still,  always,  and  everywhere, 
and  that  more  will  be  expected  of  them  than  of 
ordinary  Catholics. 

Addresses  may  be  made  by  the  other  Sodalists, 
too,  and  a  reply  by  one  of  those  who  are  to 
depart. 


218 


®fje  gbobalttp  of  0nt  Habp 

Something  similar  could  be  done  in  the  case 
of  Sodalists  who  are  leaving  for  another  city  or 
country. 

It  is  customs  like  these  that  touch  the  heart  and 
attach  to  the  Sodality. 


Chapter  XXIII 
itftem&erd  no  longer  $cttbe 


Keeping  up  Connections  with  Absent  Members 


T  will  happen  that  members  of  a  So¬ 
dality  will  move  to  other  parishes  or 
cities,  or  will  be  prevented  by  pro¬ 
longed  sickness  from  attending  meet¬ 
ings.  One  ought  not  to  allow  them  to  be 
forgotten.  Every  Sodalist  that  is  not  lawfully 
expelled  remains  a  member  in  full  right.  There¬ 
fore  the  Sodality  should  keep  up  communication 
with  them. 

In  this  regard,  an  excellent  custom  like  the  fol¬ 
lowing  exists  in  many  places.  A  priest  of  the 
Eastern  portion  of  this  country  joined  a  Sodality 
in  Switzerland,  when  he  was  living  in  that  part  of 
the  world  as  a  boy.  It  is  long  years  now  since 
he  left  Switzerland,  but  every  year  he  receives 
from  his  Sodality  there  a  paper  containing  the 
Act  of  Consecration,  a  list  of  the  Sodalists  de¬ 
ceased  during  the  year,  and  a  short  Exhortation. 
The  Act  of  Consecration  he  signs  and  returns. 
It  is  this  usage  which  is  recommended  in  some 
Rules. 

There  is  at  least  one  school  in  this  country  where 
a  similar  practice  is  in  vogue. 


222 


Wf)t  ££>obaltti>  of  0nv  Xa bp 

In  this  school,  besides  the  yearly  communication 
like  the  above,  a  catalogue  of  all  the  members  is 
printed  and  sent  to  the  members.  No  doubt, 
such  active  interest  in  absent  members  is  the 
source  of  many  graces  to  them. 

Another  practice  may  be  mentioned.  In  a  great 
college  in  Europe,  there  is  on  the  wall  of  the  So¬ 
dality  chapel  a  large  panel  which  is  being  gradu¬ 
ally  filled  with  beautiful  gold  slips  containing  the 
names  of  the  Sodalists  that  have  finished  their 
schooling  and  gone  to  their  life  work.  Each  one, 
as  he  departs  from  the  beloved  home  of  his  youth, 
has  his  name  handsomely  painted  and  leaves  it  in 
its  place  on  the  wall.  It  is  a  kind  of  perpetual 
reminder  to  Our  Lady  that  he  belongs  to  her. 

Much  good  can  be  done  with  former  pupils  who 
were  members  of  a  college  or  convent  Sodality. 
They  should  be  encouraged  to  return  to  their 
school  and  visit  their  former  Directors.  The  Di¬ 
rector  has  many  a  chance  in  such  visits  of  saying 
a  useful  word  and  giving  a  salutary  hint  for  the 
better  conduct  of  life. 

It  is  a  custom  in  some  schools  —  and  a  very 
wholesome  one  —  to  invite  their  former  members 
back  for  the  Monthly  Recollection  and  the  Annual 
Retreat.  These  find  in  the  days  of  quiet  and 
silence  a  most  serviceable  break  in  a  distracting 
life  in  the  world.  Needless  to  suggest,  their  re¬ 
turn  to  the  Alma  Mater  should  be  made  pleasant 
as  well  as  profitable. 


223 


Wife  ^obalttp  of  <0ur  Hafop 

It  would  contribute  much  to  general  edification 
if  the  absent  members  would  occasionally  write 
to  the  Sodality.  In  some  Rules  this  is  expressly 
recommended.  Many  Societies  have  correspond¬ 
ing  members  ;  why  should  not  Sodalities  ? 


Cfrajjtn-  XXIV 

<8)ne  ttt  Cftarg*  af  tftc  J£>attalttg 


Importance 


HE  most  important  personage  in  a  So¬ 
dality  is  the  one  in  charge  of  it. 

On  him  or  her  all  depends,  abso¬ 
lutely  all.  To  be  sure,  the  grace  of 
God  can  work  without  human  aid,  but,  as  a  matter 
of  fact,  it  seldom  does.  On  what  he  or  she  is, 
then,  on  how  he  or  she  is  disposed,  on  what  he  or 
she  does,  it  is  no  exaggeration  to  say,  everything 
depends,  absolutely  everything. 

What  kind  of  person,  therefore,  should  the  one 
in  charge  be  ? 


Personal  Holiness 


First  of  all,  he  should  himself  be  holy .  Strange 
it  is,  but  holiness  is  produced  by  holiness,  or 
rather  the  fruits  of  sanctity  are  not  often  brought 
forth  unless  through  means  that  are  sanctified. 
One’s  first  duty,  therefore,  is  to  make  and  keep 
oneself  united  to  God.  This  does  not  mean  that 
the  Director  must  perform  miracles  or  have  ecsta¬ 
sies,  but  it  does  mean  personal  and  every-day 
sanctity.  The  Director  must  be  devoted  and 
whole-souled  in  his  duties,  whether  as  a  religious 
not  in  holy  orders,  or  as  a  religious  priest,  or  as  a 
secular  priest  —  whichever  he  happens  to  be.  He 


228 


)t  £l>obattt£  of  0m  Habp 


must  be  faithful  in  his  own  meditation  and  in  his 
own  examens,  if  he  expects  to  get  his  Sodalists 
faithful  in  theirs ;  he  must  be  regular  at  Holy 
Mass  and  the  Sacraments,  if  he  would  bring  them 
to  that.  He  must  be  bent  on  overcoming  himself 
and  in  downing  particularly  his  own  pride  and 
predominant  passion,  if  he  would  successfully 
urge  his  charge  to  do  so  —  he  must  be  zealous 
in  his  daily  duties,  whatever  they  are.  Nothing 
so  moves  to  goodness  as  to  see  goodness  in  those 
who  are  our  guides. 

Zeal  for  Souls 

Secondly,  he  must  be  zealous  for  souls ,  especially 
those  that  are  committed  to  his  care  in  the  Sodal¬ 
ity.  Only  zeal,  begotten  of  the  love  of  God  and 
sustained  by  His  constant  actual  graces,  will  be 
able  to  keep  him  up  under  the  many  trials  his 
position  will  bring  him. 

There  will  be  reverses  of  all  kinds.  The  one 
whom  the  Director  thought  his  best  Sodalist  will 
go  off  and  marry  a  Protestant  —  perhaps  before  a 
Protestant  minister.  The  Treasurer,  apparently  en¬ 
tirely  trustworthy,  will  have  no  means  to  refund 
the  money  he  ought  to  be  in  possession  of.  The 
superiors  of  the  one  in  charge  will  not  see  things 
with  his  eyes  and  will  constantly  balk  him.  His 
very  friends  and  companions  will  laugh  at  him  for 
his  pains.  Bickerings  will  spring  up  among  his 
Sodalists,  and  petty  jealousies  —  about  all  manner 


Cfje  ££>obattt|>  of  <&uv  Habp 


229 


of  things.  He  will,  without  any  faults  of  his,  mis¬ 
judge  some  character  —  with  disastrous  results. 
It  will  be  hard  to  keep  his  Sodalists  at  Holy 
Communion,  or  even  at  meetings,  regularly.  The 
weather  will  be  forbidding  on  the  meeting  day. 
Sickness  will  prevent  his  being  at  his  post  —  and 
so  on  and  so  forth.  He  may  be  sure  in  advance 
that  the  devil  will  set  himself  most  zealously  to 
work  to  thwart  the  plans  formed  for  Our  Lady’s 
honor.  The  devil  has  no  love  for  her.  So,  let 
the  one  in  charge  be  prepared,  and  when  the  diffi¬ 
culties  come,  be  not  surprised,  but  be  brave  under 
them  and  overcome  them  to  the  best  of  his  ability 
—  above  all,  keep  at  work ,  no  matter  what  hap¬ 
pens.  He  will  need  plenty  of  zeal  for  that. 

Method 

Thirdly,  he  will  need  to  be  methodical.  There 
will  be  much  to  do  —  more  than  he  can  well  do 
without  order.  Let  him  make  out  a  list  of  things 
to  be  done  at  different  times  and  use  it. 

See  Everything 

Again,  he  has  to  be  all-seeing.  He  must  com¬ 
prehend  the  situation  always  and  see  to  the  depths 
of  every  combination  of  circumstances.  Vigilance, 
then,  he  will  be  in  constant  need  of. 

Not  Appear  to  See 

He  must  not  appear  to  see.  Every  one  in  charge 
of  others  knows  how  important  it  is  not  to  let  on , 


230 


QL\) e  i§>obalttp  of  €>ur  Habp 

as  the  saying  is,  and  to  condone  without  seeming 
even  to  know. 


The  Source  of  Inspiration 

He  must  give  the  inspiration  and  be  at  the  bot¬ 
tom  of  every  project.  Things  will  not  succeed 
without  it. 

In  societies  of  all  kinds,  but  especially  in  Sodal¬ 
ities  of  young  people,  the  Director  must  begin  and 
carry  on  and  accomplish.  At  the  same  time,  he 
would  make  a  vast  mistake  if  he  really  took  all 
the  work  on  himself.  He  is  an  overseer.  His 
doing  all  is  the  doing  all  of  an  overseer.  An 
overseer  is  not  forever  interfering,  but  manages. 
The  Director  should  act  in  like  manner  ;  the  more, 
in  fact,  he  remains  hid  the  better.  Each  officer 
and  member  must  be  left  to  fulfil  the  duty  as¬ 
signed  :  the  Director  sees  that  it  is  done.  In  this 
way  he  will  be  the  soul  of  every  movement. 


Not  Work  for  Reward  here  below 

The  Director  must  not  work  for  reward  here  be - 
low.  As  to  human  reward,  he  must  simply  not 
expect  it.  He  will  often  fail  to  get  it.  Gratitude 
will  not  be  given  him,  perhaps,  when  he  most 
expects  it.  Praise  will  often  not  be  forthcoming. 
Not  even  appreciation  will  be  his.  For  money 
he  should  not  work  in  any  case :  it  would  be  un¬ 
worthy  of  so  high  an  office  as  his  is. 


Cfje  Hwbalttp  of  <0ur  Habp 


231 


The  True  Reward 

His  reward  will  come. 

He  will  in  the  first  place  be  insuring  his  own 
salvation.  One  of  the  Saints  has  said  that  devo¬ 
tion  to  Our  Blessed  Mother  is  the  best  index  that 
one  is  among  the  elect.  There  can  be  no  doubt 
of  the  Director’s  devotion  to  her,  if  he  does  his 
part  in  the  Sodality  he  has  charge  of. 

More  than  that,  he  will  have  from  his  Sodality 
abundant  help  to  be  perfect  in  his  life,  priestly  or 
religious,  for  he  will  see  many,  many  examples  of 
virtues  of  the  highest  kind  in  those  who  are  in  his 
charge.  If  he  were  not  touched  and  moved  to 
imitate  them,  he  would  be  a  most  extraordinary 
being.  Goodness  reacts. 

Let  him  remember,  too,  that  he  is  working  for 
Our  Lady.  St.  Bernard  said  that  no  one  was  ever 
neglected  that  appealed  to  her.  The  Director’s 
whole  life  will  be  an  appeal  to  her.  Let  him  be 
sure,  then,  that  he  will  not  be  neglected.  Her 
motherly  kindliness  and  love  will  pursue  him  in 
all  his  actions.  And  as  the  toil  and  stress  of  life 
are  ending,  when  comfort  will  be  most  welcome, 
he  will  feel  that  all  is  right.  And  when  the  final 
hour  of  struggle  is  passed  and  the  labor  is  all  over, 
he  will  know  at  home  —  at  his  Mother’s  home  in 
Heaven  —  that  she  was  his  friend  and  support. 
He  will  see  that  when  he  succeeded  in  her  work, 
it  was  through  aid  given  by  her;  when  he  failed, 


232 


®f)e  ££>obalttp  of  <0«r  labp 


it  was  because  it  was  better  so,  according  to  her 
loving  plans  for  his  own  advancement  in  her 
Blessed  Son’s  ways,  and  for  that  of  those  who 
were  dear  to  Him.  Many  and  many  of  them  he 
will  find  at  home  before  him  ;  more  will  be  to 
come;  he  and  they  will  for  ever  rejoice  in  their 
own  dear  Mother’s  happy  and  approving  smile. 
He,  particularly,  will  have  thanks  from  her  own 
blessed  lips  for  what  he  did  as  her  vicegerent. 

Trust  Mary 

Finally,  therefore,  in  all  difficulties  and  in  all 
successes,  let  the  Director  remember  to  go  to 
Mary.  She  is  in  a  special  way  his  Mother.  Let 
him  trust  her,  then,  as  he  ought  to  trust  his 
mother.  Let  him  rely  upon  her  for  everything 
and  always,  go  to  her  for  advice,  go  to  her  for 
ways  and  means,  remind  Mary  that  it  is  her  work 
he  is  doing.  She  will  not  be  able  to  resist  the 
appeal. 

In  success,  too,  he  must  remember  to  go  and 
thank  her.  Let  him  never  be  surprised  that  he 
has  succeeded.  It  is  she  who  brought  it  about  — 
and  she  will  always  be  true  and  kindly. 

Only  let  him  trust  her. 

JHarp  toitl)  &er  Iobtnff  J5>on, 

151 ess  tue,  anb  etoerp  one! 


^Pntieje 


SlnDejtr 


Absent  members,  219. 

Academies,  78. 

Accounts,  85. 

Advantages  of  aggregation  5,  29,  35. 

After  the  retreat,  209. 

Aggregation  to  the  First  Primary  Sodality 
persons  empowered  to  aggregate,  10. 
express  permission  required,  10. 
points  to  be  specified  in  application,  10. 
participation  in  indulgences  and  privileges,  11. 
advantages,  29. 

does  not  impair  autonomy,  35. 
model  letters  of  application,  30. 

Aim 

of  the  book,  vii. 
of  Sodality,  xiii. 
of  Sodalists,  112. 

Altar  work,  75. 

Apostleship  of  example,  112. 

Apostleship  of  prayer,  176. 

Apostleship  of  the  press,  178. 

Apostolate,  Lay,  178. 

Application,  letters  of,  30. 

Appointment  of  director  by  Fr.  Provincial  or  the  Bishop,  12. 
Approved  candidates,  46. 

Assistants,  20,  94. 

Attendance  at  meetings,  33. 

Attending  funerals,  174. 

Autonomy,  35. 

Belongings,  86,  120. 

Bishop’s  consent  for  erection  and  aggregation,  11. 

Bona  Mors  Association,  114. 


236 


3Jnbex 


Books  to  read,  140. 

Breakfast  after  retreat,  73. 

Candidates  for  office,  93. 

Canonical  erection,  7. 

Catechism,  teaching  of,  171. 

Changes  of  title,  director,  rules,  place,  24. 
Characteristics  of  Sodality,  39,  40. 

Charges  for  diploma,  86. 

Charity,  86. 

Children  of  Mary,  7,  50,  72. 

Choir-master,  95. 

Church  functions,  76. 

Closing  day,  208. 

Communion 

instruction,  111. 
daily  communion,  162. 
frequent  communion,  162. 
general  communion,  165. 
perpetual  communion  of  reparation,  166. 
Conference,  147-152. 

Confession,  110. 

General  confession,  111. 

Conformity  to  established  usage,  14. 
Consultors,  95. 

Contributions,  83. 

Council 

appointment  of,  20. 
meetings  of,  100. 

Councillors,  100. 

Day  of  meeting,  132. 

Definition  of  Sodality,  3. 

Departure  from  school,  215. 

Devotion  to  the  Blessed  Mother  of  God,  4,  39. 
Diary,  78. 

Diploma 

of  aggregation,  11. 
of  admission,  86. 

Directions  for  saying  the  office,  146. 

Directness  in  director’s  talks,  148,  149. 


3fntiex 


r 


237 


Director  of  retreat,  204. 

Director  of  Sodality,  12,  14,  207,  225-232. 

Dissolution,  5. 

Distinctions,  69. 

Dues,  84. 

Duties,  19. 

Ecclesiastical  corporation,  5. 

Elections,  91. 
yearly,  92. 

order  of  exercises,  96-98. 

Enrolment,  essential  for  validity  of  admission  17. 

Entertainments,  74. 

Examen  of  conscience,  107. 

Exclusiveness 

based  on  zeal,  40. 

based  on  class  distinctions,  43. 

Excursions,  67. 

Exemptions,  24,  71. 

Exercises 

in  common,  xiii. 
of  piety,  103. 
of  regular  meeting,  139. 
of  day  of  recollection,  188. 
of  patronal  feast,  199. 

Exhibition  of  Sodality  work,  77. 

Expenses,  83. 

Feasts,  73. 

Finances,  81. 

First  Primary  Sodality,  5,  9. 

Fraternal  union,  57-63. 

General  statutes  binding  on  all,  15. 

Guardian  angel,  96. 

Holidays,  67. 

Illustrations,  146. 

Importance 

of  fraternal  union,  59. 


238 


3fnbex 


Importance  —  continued . 
of  retreat,  203. 
of  director,  227. 

Indulgences, 

participation  in  those  of  the  Prima  Primaria  by  aggrega¬ 
tion,  9,  21,  22. 
by  privilege,  10,  21,  22. 
conditions,  22. 

commutation  of  conditions,  22. 

Inspiration,  source  of,  230. 

Installation  of  officers,  77. 

Instructor  of  candidates,  95. 

Interest,  65-79. 

Invocation  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  144. 

Invocation  of  Our  Lady,  158. 

Junior  Sodalities,  48. 

Knowledge  of  all  the  members,  113. 

Law  of  love,  19. 

Length  of  reading,  139. 

Length  of  retreat,  206. 

Lent,  penances  for,  115. 

Librarian,  96. 

Litany  of  Loretto,  146,  158. 

Mail,  use  of,  79. 

Manifestations  of  fraternal  union,  59. 

Mass,  109. 

Medal,  14. 

Meditation,  147. 

Meetings,  125,  131,  132,  133. 

Membership 

eligibility,  4. 

essentials  of  reception,  16-18. 
probation,  18,  44,  46. 
ceremonies  of  reception,  18-19. 
care  in  selection  of  members,  44. 
admonitions  to  possible  members,  45. 
means  of  attracting  desirable  members,  45. 


3fnbex 


239 


Membership  —  continued. 
limit  to  members,  45. 
prayers  for  dead  members,  62. 
honorary  members,  71. 
lists  of  members,  75. 
visits  to  sick  members,  172. 
absent  members,  211. 

Money,  23,  86. 

Month  of  May,  193. 

Monthly  patrons,  147,  181. 

Monthly  recollection 
in  common,  185. 
in  private,  191. 

Need  of  rule,  53. 

Newspaper  notices,  75. 

N on-aggregated  Sodalities,  29,  34. 

Notification  of  Sodality  events,  79. 

Number 

of  Sodalities  in  the  same  church,  11. 
of  members  in  a  Sodality,  46. 

Obstacles  to  fraternal  union,  60. 

Officers 

consultation  of  manuals,  xv. 

higher,  elected  by  Sodality,  20,  91,  92. 

minor,  elected  by  council,  20. 

council  appointed  by  director,  20. 

fist  of  candidates  drawn  up  by  director,  20. 

appointed  pro  tem ,  35. 

treatment  of,  98. 

Offices 

Organization,  34. 

Little  Office  of  the  Immaculate  Conception,  145. 

Office  of  the  Dead,  145. 
directions  for  saying,  146. 

Litany  of  Loretto,  146. 

Participation  in  indulgences,  good  works,  and  prayers,  10. 
Patronal  feast,  197. 

Patrons  of  Sodality,  6,  33. 


240  3Jnbex 

Personal  holiness  of  director,  227. 

Picnics,  67. 

Places  where  a  Sodality  may  be  erected,  34. 
Postulants,  34. 

Practices  of  piety,  106. 

Praise  of  officers,  101. 

Prayer 

for  dead  members,  62. 
vocal,  106. 
mental,  108. 
final,  157. 

Prefect,  20,  94. 

Preparation 

for  reading,  137. 
for  conferences,  157. 
for  the  retreat,  203. 

Prisons,  visits  to,  173. 

Private  talks,  113. 

Privileges  of  Sodality  members,  71. 

Probation,  not  essential  but  customary,  18,  44. 
Programs,  74,  200,  209. 

Property,  23. 

Publication 

of  names,  75. 
of  accounts,  85. 

Qualities  of  officers,  93,  94. 

Reader,  94. 

Reading,  108,  137. 

Reception,  requisites  for  valid,  16. 

Recollection,  185. 

Refreshments,  73. 

Reminders,  105. 

Removal  from  one  church  to  another,  9. 
Renewal  of  act  of  consecration,  211. 

Retreat,  202. 

Reward  of  zeal,  230,  231. 

Rules 

history,  15. 

crystallized  in  general  statutes,  15. 


Snbex 


241 


Rules  —  continued. 
observance,  53. 
not  binding  under  sin,  54,  55. 

Sacraments,  159. 

Selection  of  books  or  passages  for  reading,  138. 

Self-seeking,  83. 

Sick,  172. 

*  Silence 

during  recollection,  187. 
during  retreat,  204. 

Simplicity  in  director’s  talks,  148. 

Society 

of  St.  John  Berchmans,  176. 
of  St.  Vincent  de  Paul,  176. 

Sodality  chapel,  119. 

Sodalities  in  Jesuit  houses  and  churches,  8,  10,  12,  15,  16,  23, 
29,  30. 

Souls  in  Purgatory,  175. 

Souvenir  of  retreat,  209. 

Spiritual  reading,  108. 

Steps  to  be  taken  in  establishing  a  Sodality 

aggregation  to  the  First  Primary  Sodality,  5. 
canonical  erection  by  Bishop,  7. 
appointment  of  director,  12. 

Stereopticon  views,  150. 

Sub-director,  14. 

Sub-directress,  14. 

Subjects  for  conferences,  152. 

Substitutes  for  the  office,  146. 

Unwillingness  to  approach  the  Sacraments,  161. 

Virtues  of  sodalists,  45,  112. 

Visits 

to  the  sick,  172. 
to  prisons,  173. 

Waiting  list,  46. 

Watchfulness  on  director’s  part,  229. 

Weekly  confession,  164. 


16 


242 


inbex 


Works 

of  the  Sodality,  4. 
of  zeal,  169. 
recommended,  xiii. 

Zeal 

of  members,  171. 
of  director,  228. 


The  University  Press,  Cambridge,  U.  8.  A. 


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